Wilson's return excites Braves

The Braves legend quietly slipped back into the line-up last Friday night for the Braves' 105-74 victory over Albury-Wodonga Bandits.

Playing her first game in the famous blue and yellow colours in nearly two years, Wilson finished with nine points, nine rebounds and nine assists in 23 minutes of court time.

Alabakov could not have been more impressed with her seamless transition back into the playing ranks after such a long break and is above all excited about what her presence for the remainder of the season will mean for the Braves.

"What she has done, to have a year and a half off to give birth to her first child Teddy and be able to come back arguably better than before missing the WNBL season is incredible," he said.

"Nine points, nine rebounds and nine assists in 20-odd minutes is an amazing way to return.

"She just has a real sixth sense for the sport of basketball."

The champion point guard's return to the court could not be more timely, following the temporary departure of fellow star Tess Madgen due to Australian Opals Olympic commitments.

Alabakov will have the luxury of having both of his aces available at some point during the finals, should the Braves continue the stellar form which has them in third place on the South Conference ladder with a 9-2 record.

Last Friday night's win over the Bandits was the team's fourth on the trot and eighth from their past nine games.

Only one team, the ladder-leading Frankston Blues (11-1), has beaten the Braves this season.

Wilson's experience again shapes as crucial ahead of this Saturday night's clash at Bendigo Stadium against fellow championship contenders Nunawading (8-3).

"It will be a deep and talented roster if we can line up at the pointy end of the season with both Tess and Kelly," Alabakov said.

"But also flying under the radar is the sneaky help that Genevieve Ogier is going to give us. She has been incredible. She was terrific (the previous) weekend in Tassie and she is just going to get better with every game she is going to play.

"We are very happy with the balance we have and, as I do, I keep going back to the shared load.

"Everyone is contributing at the moment and playing to their strengths and feeling important, and that is how we have set up our system."

Wilson, a WNBL champion with Bendigo in 2013 and '14, Townsville Fire in 2018 and Canberra Capitals in 2019, will rejoin the Capitals later this year for the 2021-22 season, after playing for the Spirit in 2019-20 season before her break during the abbreviated 2020 season.

Her signing with Canberra will see the WNBL's games record holder again teaming up with long-time team-mate Kelsey Griffin.

The pair has won three titles together, two in Bendigo and one in Canberra.

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