Every week, ESPN's Megan Hustwaite brings together news stories that have caught her eye across the WNBL.
Bendigo Spirit legend Gabe Richards believes her former team can achieve what no side has in WNBL history and produce an undefeated season.
The ladder-leaders overcame a fast-finishing Townsville Fire to go 9-0 at the weekend which prompted this column to ask Richards, a two-time WNBL champion and 2014 FIBA World Cup bronze medallist, can Bendigo be beaten?
"I don't think so, I've watched every game this year and they're just incredible. Even when they're ugly, when they're not playing well, they can still pull out a win," Richards told ESPN.
"They have so many options and they play so well together, you can tell they play for one another. It's really impressive, they're certainly the team to beat, I think.
"Defensively, their defensive pressure is just incredible. I made the comment the other day, I'd hate to play against them!"
Richards had her jersey retired at last Saturday night's game, becoming the first Spirit player to receive the honour.
"It's so special because my entire WNBL career, except the first two seasons with the AIS, has been in that Bendigo stadium and with the Spirit singlet on," she said.
"It means so much to me and this city has adopted me as one of their own (Richards hails from Seymour in country Victoria) and it's such a privilege now to have that hang in the stadium forever."
ZIA LATER
Interest surrounds Townsville's next move after parting ways with import, Los Angeles Sparks guard Zia Cooke.
Cooke, who was a replacement for original import Jacy Sheldon who withdrew from #WNBL25 on the eve of the season, averaged 12.1 points, 2 rebounds and 1.3 assists across seven games of which she started in five.
One of the most professional and organised clubs in the league, Townsville will have a plan in place for how it approaches the rest of its campaign. The Fire are fourth on the ladder, with a 4-4 record, ahead of ESPN's game of the round against Sydney Flames on Wednesday night.
Elsewhere, an Australian forward, who has won a bronze-medal with the Opals in FIBA Asia Cup competition, will return home from Europe and suit up with a WNBL club with an announcement imminent.
QUEEN CONTI
She's not an Opal or a WNBA draftee but Monique Conti is authentically giving the WNBL publicity and clout advertising campaigns simply can't.
Five days after winning a seventh consecutive AFLW club best-and-fairest, Conti suited up and started for Geelong United winning on debut with victory over Adelaide, by 10 points, in Round 6.
The next day she turned 25 and two days later hit the game winner, in overtime no less to sink Southside Flyers in ESPN's Game of the Round last Wednesday. At the same time, half an hour down the road, she was being awarded Life Membership at Richmond Football Club's AGM.
A genuine dual-sport superstar, Conti's natural talent and high basketball IQ doesn't get the spotlight it deserves because the juggernaut that is Aussie Rules simply overpowers the WNBL.
So personable and likeable, she's added star power while breathing much-needed life into the season.
Three Pointers with Southside Flyers rookie Manuella Puoch
*2024 has been a big year. I was part of the Vic Metro team that won the U20 National champs, played NBL1 for Dandenong, made my WNBL debut, represented Rowville at the National School champs, finished school and turned 18.
*I was working towards making the WNBL but when I heard clubs were reaching out I was surprised and like 'What, now? I'm only 17.' I talked to my family, I'm one of seven kids, and they said I shouldn't doubt myself because I'm a good player. It was definitely a surprise but I know I can compete in the league, it was just that I was still in school and 17 years old.
*My big sister Nyadiew plays for Canberra and recently we played on each other for the first time when our teams played. I gave her her fifth foul, then I had two free throws, nailed them both and was like 'Ha ha, sucker!' It was great to play on her and I was smiling the whole time.