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Join our Fantasy SRP leagueSpirit and Lynx dominate at WNBL awards
SEN • February 10th, 2026 11:29 am
The excellence of the Bendigo Spirit has been recognised on the League stage, with Isobel Borlase and Kennedy Kereama both taking home major honours at the 2025–26 WNBL Awards Night, while co-captain Kelsey Griffin was also acknowledged among the competition’s elite.
In her first season in Spirit colours, 21-year-old Borlase was awarded the Suzy Batkovic Medal as the competition’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) after a remarkable campaign that saw her average 22.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
Borlase also earned selection in the All-Star First Team and was recognised as the League’s top points scorer for the regular season, having already amassed 526.
Whilst there have been countless memorable plays by Borlase so far this season, a highlight was Round 15, where she notched a club-record and individual personal best of 42 points in a single game against Southside Melbourne Flyers, before going on to tally a total of 98 points across three games the Spirit played in Round 15, all inside five days.
Spirit Head Coach, Kennedy Kereama, was deservedly named Coach of the Year, recognised for guiding Bendigo through a season of significant roster change and disruption while maintaining a strong results base at the same time as continuing to invest in the development of emerging talent.
Co-captain Kelsey Griffin was also honoured with selection in the All-Star Second Team, continuing to underline her value as one of the competition’s most respected leaders both on and off the court. The 38-year-old has averaged 11.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game this season, providing stability, toughness and high-level decision-making at both ends of the floor.
Spirit General Manager, Dan Jackson, said the awards were a reflection of both individual excellence and the collective standards the club continues to set, and was thrilled that a Spirit player had taken out the League’s top individual honour for a second consecutive year.
“Having Izzy recognised as the League MVP in her first season with us is a huge credit to the work she’s put in and the way she’s embraced what we’re building in Bendigo,” Jackson said.
“Kennedy has done an outstanding job again - we’ve had to navigate plenty this year, but he's
continued to compete, develop, and find ways to win.”
continued to compete, develop, and find ways to win.”
“And what Kelsey gives this program can’t be overstated - her leadership, basketball IQ and professionalism are invaluable to any team she’s a part of, but this recognition also confims that she’s an incredibly skilled player who’s a force to be reckoned with in terms of her game play too.”
Perth Lynx players have been recognised among the WNBL’s elite at the League’s annual Awards Night, with a number of players acknowledged for their outstanding contributions across the season.
Lynx co captain Anneli Maley capped off another exceptional campaign with multiple honours, headlined by earning selection in the All Star First Team. In a season where she averaged 14.6 points, 14.3 rebounds (the most for the League) and 3.5 assists per game, Maley was also voted as the Fans MVP, and finishing the regular season as the League’s leading rebounder, with a whopping 328 to her name for the regular season alone. Maley’s relentless work rate and consistency at both ends of the floor once again set the standard for the Lynx throughout the season.
Joining Maley in the All Star First Team was her Lynx teammate, Ally Wilson, whose leadership, composure and playmaking ability were central to Perth’s success. Averaging 14.2 points, 4.8 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game throughout the regular season, Wilson’s selection recognises her ability to control games - particularly in high pressure moments - while continuing to lead the group on and off the court.
International import Han Xu enjoyed a standout debut WNBL season, earning selection in the All Star Second Team, and also receiving the Robyn Maher Award as the League’s Defensive Player of the Year, despite not joining the competition until Round 7. Averaging 15.8 points and 7 rebounds per game, Han’s presence in the paint had a significant impact on both ends of the floor, with her rim protection and rebounding reshaping opposition game plans throughout the season.
Rounding out the Lynx representation at the League’s night of nights was Alex Ciabattoni, who capped an arguably career-best season with selection in the All Star Second Team. ‘Chibba’ averaged 15.1 points per game, emerging as a key scoring option and versatile contributor within the Lynx lineup.
