Sport
24 October, 2025
On fire Lady Blazers aim to stay undefeated
After a dream start to their 2025 campaign, the Maryborough Lady Blazers can cement themselves as premiership favourites with another key double header.
Maryborough has blazed through their competition so far this season, currently occupying a 4-0 record and top spot of the CBL North West Women’s ladder.
However, the Blazers aren’t guaranteed to maintain their scorching start, as they are scheduled to play two tough matches in round four.
Their weekend will open at the Castlemaine War Memorial Stadium on Saturday night against the 2-3 Castlemaine Cannons, who looked in fine form during their previous match against the Macedon Ranges Rockies, winning by 14 points.
Maryborough will return home on Sunday as they host the 2024 champions in the Bendigo Braves, who will be determined to rectify their close losses to the Bacchus Marsh Lions and Melton Thoroughbreds last weekend.
In their highlight of 2024, the Blazers handed the Braves their only loss of the season in round three, and even with a limited four-game sample, the Blazers have exhibited severe growth during their stark ascent this season.
After finishing fourth in points scored last season, Maryborough’s offence has flown to another level, led by the dynamic duo of Millie Cracknell and Aislinn McCarthy.
As dangerous three-level scorers who can catch fire in an instant, the pair are currently the league’s top two scorers, averaging a combined 41.75 points a game.
Cracknell was a walking bucket in Maryborough’s victory against the Mildura Heat last Saturday, pouring on a staggering 41 points.
While McCarthy led the way with 21 points against the Swan Hill Flyers, Sunday’s win showcased how Maryborough’s riches of scoring depth from their emerging core have powered their top-flight offence.
In particular, Heidi Plim and Azalea Wighton were brilliant in finding buckets in the paint and spacing the floor with their shooting, combining to score 35 points against the Flyers.
That doesn’t even mention players like Rhylie Jones, Maggie Tranter, Brodie Hillier and Brandy Santon, who have all stepped up on offence.
While Maryborough’s strides on offence are impressive, their transformation on defence has been outstanding.
What was a weakness last season, allowing a seventh-best 77.1 points a game, has turned into the Blazers’ most valuable strength.
They currently lead the competition with an average of 51 points conceded per game, often generating several turnovers that lead to easy buckets at the other end.
With the Melton Thoroughbreds hot on their heels in second with a 3-0 record, the Blazers will look to generate some healthy breathing room at the ladder’s summit with another impressive double header performance.
