URGENT UPDATE: The Bendigo Spirit claimed a crucial victory over the Townsville Fire in a grand final rematch on July 15, 2025, but the win came at a significant cost. Star player Lauren Cox suffered a serious knee injury during the first quarter, leaving fans and teammates in shock.
Cox, last season’s defensive player of the year, was injured while attempting to secure a rebound at the Townsville Entertainment Centre. She fell awkwardly and immediately clutched her left knee, calling for medical assistance. Coach Shannon Seebohm expressed deep concern, stating, “When a person grabs their knee like that, it’s usually not going to be something great. She’s gone off to the hospital.”
This injury could have lasting implications for Townsville, who now face a challenging path without one of their most experienced players. The Fire fell short with a score of 61-73, dropping their record to 11-3 and allowing Bendigo to extend their lead to 13-2 in the WNBL standings.
In a tense showdown between the league’s top teams, Bendigo’s defense was the standout feature, holding Townsville to their lowest score of the season. Captain Kelsey Griffin led the Spirit with a double-double performance, contributing 14 points and 10 rebounds while showcasing her defensive prowess.
Bendigo surged ahead in the first quarter, quickly establishing an eight-point lead after an early 9-2 run. Townsville struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, shooting just 35.6 percent from the field. Seebohm lamented the shooting inaccuracies, particularly in the paint, saying, “If you take that many poor shots… that’s insane in the WNBL.”
Despite being without Opal Courtney Woods due to a hamstring injury, Townsville’s Miela Sowah (16 points, 5 rebounds) and Alex Fowler (15 points, 8 rebounds) tried to keep the team competitive but were unable to close the gap.
Bendigo capitalized on Townsville’s struggles, with players like Kelsey Rees achieving a career-high of 16 points and Izzy Borlase contributing 12 points and 6 rebounds. Coach Kennedy Kereama expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, noting their impressive shooting efficiency of about 50 percent from both the three-point and two-point lines.
The injury to Cox has thrown a shadow over Bendigo’s victory, as they prepare to face future challenges without one of their key defensive players. As the WNBL season continues, all eyes will be on the recovery of Lauren Cox and how Townsville will adjust in her absence.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
