Not so this time around.

Harrower conceded the Australian Pork Bendigo Spirit have "plenty of work to do" ahead of next weekend's start of the WNBL season.

The Spirit won their first two matches of the Spring Shield tournament in Bendigo, but were handed a 21-point thumping by the West Coast Waves in Sunday's grand final.

The Waves outplayed the Spirit from start to finish, winning 75-54.

"Credit to West Coast, they were the best team for the weekend,'' Harrower said.

"They were way better than us today and they're much improved from last year.

"We've got a lot of work to do. We won our first two games, but to be honest we didn't play great."

The absence of Kelly Wilson (Achilles) and Belinda Snell (rested) stood out in the grand final loss to the Waves.

The Spirit shot the ball at just 32 per cent, including a woeful 1-16 from behind the three-point line.

From the tip-off the Waves played as though the game meant more to them and they deserved their 21-point win.

"West Coast played with energy and intensity and we didn't,'' Harrower said.

"West Coast has had a strong pre-season and we just haven't been able to get our group together. We haven't had one training session with our entire group together.

"We played poorly today, but the good thing is it was in a pre-season game and not next week."

The standout performer for the Spirit in the final was Heather Oliver.

While the majority of the squad looked flat, Oliver played as though she had a point to prove.

With Kelly Wilson sidelined for at least a month, Harrower has to spread her playing time around the Spirit's young guards.

Oliver put her hand up for more playing time.

"Ollie has been terrific all pre-season,'' Harrower said.

"She's worked harder than anyone else, while some others aren't playing at the level we need to play at this level."

Sara Blicavs, 16 points, was the only Spirit player to score in double figures.

Star forward Kelsey Griffin was held to five points and six rebounds.

West Coast had a greater spread of contributors.

None were more efficient than former Bendigo Spirit and Bendigo Lady Braves guard Deanna Smith.

The WNBL veteran relished the return to her home court, winning the grand final MVP award for her 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Smith was three-of-four from behind the three-point line and a perfect nine-for-nine from the free throw line.

Import point guard Lindsey Moore was superb, with 16 points, four rebounds and four assists.

Centre Louella Tomlinson added 10 points, four rebounds and two assists.

The Spirit's WNBL regular season campaign starts next Saturday night in Townsville.

The Waves are at home to Adelaide.