GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 01: Brianna Turner of the Lynx is challenged by the Venom defence during the round three WNBL match between Geelong Venom and Perth Lynx at Geelong Arena on November 01, 2025 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
UPDATE: The Perth Lynx clinched a nail-biting 77-76 victory over the Geelong Venom at Geelong Arena on October 28, 2023, but the game’s physicality has sparked serious concerns over player safety.
Star import Brianna Turner expressed her frustration with the officiating, highlighting a lack of protective calls during the intense matchup. Despite the dramatic finish, where the Lynx narrowly escaped after the Venom had multiple scoring opportunities, Turner’s focus was on the potential risks to player safety.
“I’m glad my teammates aren’t hurt,” Turner stated, reflecting on the match’s physical nature. She added, “You could slap people, grab them by the neck, push them in the face and no calls.” The comments underscore a growing concern within the league about the balance between competitive play and player protection.
The Lynx managed to hold off a late surge from Geelong, who had three shots and two offensive rebounds in the final moments. A controversial jump ball was called, even as Ally Wilson took a hit to the face. Lynx guard Alex Ciabattoni made a crucial deflection on the inbound pass, securing the win for Perth.
Lynx coach Ryan Petrik acknowledged the need for a review of the game, particularly regarding Wilson’s incident. Despite the victory, he recognized that his team has yet to perform at their peak. “If you’d told me we’d be 3-0 with the challenges we’ve faced, we’d take that every day of the week,” he stated, referencing the team’s ongoing adjustments.
The Lynx improve to 3-0 this season, with a combined winning margin of just 10 points. Wilson, returning from a knee injury, contributed 14 points despite limited minutes, while the team struggled with their three-point shooting, finishing with only three successful attempts out of 18.
As the WNBL season progresses, all eyes will be on the Lynx to see how they manage player safety alongside their pursuit of an undefeated season. With the next game on the horizon, fans and officials alike will be keenly watching for changes in officiating and player health protocols.
