Sport
21 November, 2025
Lady Blazers eye CBL minor premiership
Following their incredible ascent to title contention, the Maryborough Lady Blazers will face their most substantial hurdle yet, completing the final stages of a home triple-header this weekend.
With byes in rounds six and seven, a lot has changed in the CBL North West Women’s competition since the Lady Blazers last took to the court before this week in a 39-point victory over the Macedon Ranges Rockies.
Chief among those changes is Maryborough’s ladder location, as the Melton Thoroughbreds have stormed into first with convincing wins against the Mildura Heat and Swan Hill Flyers.
While the Lady Blazers will take back pole position regardless of last night’s rescheduled match with the Bendigo Braves, that could all change Saturday night when Maryborough meets Melton in a much-anticipated blockbuster.
The Lady Blazers can clinch the minor premiership by winning their first meeting with the Thoroughbreds this season, allowing them to manage match sharpness in their third game in four days on Sunday versus the 2-6 Mildura Heat.
Maryborough player-coach Millie Cracknell was more accurate than a GPS in her team’s 48-point win over the Heat back in round three, scoring a mammoth 41 points with six daggers from deep.
Being one of the heavy favourites to add to their inaugural CBL title back in 2022 is a massive leap for the Lady Blazers, who finished sixth in 2024 with a 3-7 record.
While established players like dynamic guard Aislinn McCarthy, post threat Maddy Egan and the dependable Maggie Tranter have remained key cogs, some new faces have added depth to the Lady Blazers.
Alongside the returning Cracknell, players like Heidi Plim, Azalea Wighton, Brodie Hillier, Brandy Santon and Rhylie Jones have all routinely provided sparks for the Lady Blazers when available.
With all that talent at their disposal, Maryborough has turned its biggest weakness into its most dominating aspect, moulding the second-worst defence on points allowed last season into a titanium-layered juggernaut.
Conceding an average of 46.8 points in their first six games, the Lady Blazers’ top-tier defence will be tested this weekend against two high-powered offences in the Thoroughbreds and Heat.