The Australian season started on Thursday under the new compressed season format. The storyline for the first game was the return of Liz Cambage and she made an early impact for Melbourne as they beat Dandenong 76-61. New look Adelaide had a good start on Friday as Natalie Novosel led them past Katie Rae-Ebzery and Sydney 91-80 with Vanessa Panousis possibly set to have one of the better recent impacts for a player returning to Australia after her college career. Abbey Wehrung and Canberra beat Kelsey Griffin and Bendigo 93-80. Mistie Bass made her return to playing for the home side while Betnijah Laney played her first game for the visitors after a long injury layoff. Townsville started their season on Saturday, winning 63-54 at Melbourne. On Sunday, Canberra continued a solid start with an 84-77 win over Abby Bishop and Adelaide. Courtney Williams had a promising debut for Perth, but the import combination of Asia Taylor and Jennifer Hamson led Sydney to the 93-80 win.
October 5, 2017
Dandenong Rangers vs. Melbourne Boomers 61-76 DAN Sa. Blicavs 17 St. Blicavs 16/6r/6a Pedersen 10/11r Mijovic 7/9r Antoniadou 0 MEL Cambage 17/6r O’Hea 11/11r Cole 10 Garrick 10 Purcell 6/9r Smart 5 Duever 2
October 6, 2017
Adelaide Lightning vs. Sydney University Flames 91-80 ADL Novosel 21/8r/9a Seekamp 16 Nicholson 14 Hamblin 12/8r Panousis 11 Bishop 8 Hodges 7 Planeta 2 SYD Ebzery 20/7a Wilson 18 Snell 16 Hamson 12/8r Taylor 7/10r Boag 0
University of Canberra Capitals vs. Bendigo Spirit 93-80 UCC Wehrung 22 Hooper 18 Gaze 14 Magbegor 12/8r Bass 10 Froling 4 Jarry 3 Paalvast 2 BEN Griffin 22 Laney 19 Payne 13 Banham 10 Karaitiana 8 Oliver 4/8r Richards 2/6r Spencer 0
October 7, 2017
Melbourne Boomers vs. Townsville Fire 54-63 MEL Cambage 15 O’Hea 10/14r Smart 4 Purcell 4 Duever 1/6r TSV George 17/21r Cocks 8 Mincy 8 Batkovic 5
October 8, 2017
University of Canberra Capitals vs. Adelaide Lightning 84-77 UCC Hooper 19/7r Jarry 15 Wehrung 14 Bass 13/6r Hurst 10/6r/7a Gaze 7 Froling 1 Paalvast 0 ADL Bishop 21 Novosel 14/8a Hamblin 10/13r Planeta 10 Nicholson 8/6r Seekamp 6 Hodges 6 Panousis 2
Perth Lynx vs. Sydney University Flames 80-93 PER Williams 26/10r Standish 15 Kunek 15 Whitcomb 8 Dowe 6/9r Burton SYD Taylor 20/9r Hamson 20/9r Snell 18/9a Wilson 16 Ebzery 11 Boag 2