This was published 7 years ago
Dandenong Rangers ready to jump into the WNBL's elite, says import Natalie Novosel
By Roy Ward
Dandenong Rangers import Natalie Novosel has backed her side to stand among the WNBL's elite clubs this season.
The Rangers start their campaign with a visit to University of Canberra Capitals in Canberra on Saturday as they look to go from an elimination final loss last year into the championship discussion.
Return: Novosel, right, when playing for Dandenong in 2013. Credit: Katherine Griffiths
Novosel was a key member of Townsville Fire's WNBL championship team last season before the former Notre Dame shooting guard was lured back to the Rangers by coach Larissa Anderson.
"I'm more seasoned," Novosel said.
"I've had an ACL tear and I'm just more experienced and ready to come back and be one of the team leaders.
"I think that's one of the reasons I came back to Dandenong, they are a great young group who are on verge of becoming elite – I want to help them get there."
Novosel was a solid contributor to the Rangers during the 2013-2014 season in her first visit to Australia but a knee reconstruction kept her out until she returned to the WNBL with the Fire.
In Townsville, Novosel's best assets were brought to the fore as then coach Chris Lucas encouraged her three-point shooting and close-checking defence.
The Fire's offence repeatedly looked to get Novosel open for three-point shots and it resulted in her doubling her percentage from her Rangers season, shooting 48 per cent compared to 25 per cent.
"Chris [Lucas] just kept putting me in positions that kept my confidence up and positions I could succeed in," Novosel said.
"Other times he would give me jobs as a defensive stopper where I could go in and cause some havoc then build my offence from there.
"I know I can get shots but for me it's about taking the right shots so going to a veteran team in Townsville was so good because they all knew the game so well and I could fit in with them, this team fits me as well."
Anderson looks likely to do use Novosel in similar ways although she may also use her off the bench as sixth woman or in lightning fast line-ups alongside star duo Steph Cumming and Sara Blicavs.
The Rangers other import, forward Ally Mallot, also fits that skilled and athletic mould of her teammates and she will make her club debut, likely as the starting power forward alongside centre Lauren Scherf.
"I think Larissa will play around with the line-ups and the minutes will sort themselves out," Novosel said.
"Ally is a really solid player all around, she is really tall, has great jumping ability and really goes after her rebounds aggressively then takes it out to the three-point line.
"I think she'll be a key piece in our puzzle this year and exciting to watch."
The Capitals finished bottom last season but are a side renewed with new coach Paul Goriss signing a host of athletic, emerging local players like Keely Froling and Lauren Mansfield – their lineup in some ways mirrors the Rangers in youthfulness and talent.
The Rangers play the Capitals in Canberra on Saturday at 3pm.