Poland a "Screen-saver"
TweetOPALS co-captain and 2006 World Champion Jenni Screen has landed a pro gig in Poland during the Australian summer.
The dual-Olympian was hoping to stay in the WNBL with Adelaide Lightning after three solid seasons since returning from playing in Italy.
But with the club going in a new direction and no deal forthcoming, plus other WNBL clubs settled with their backcourts, Screen, 32, will continue her career in Europe.
Screen is off to Japan this week with the latest version of the Opals, her career still very much thriving.
Just in case you think I’m being churlish about the Australian squads and teams new coach Brendan Joyce has named, then let me make a point.
While I am 100 per cent behind the Opals, at last count – and apologies to anyone I may have overlooked – at least 46 different players have been named in national senior squads in the past 12 months.
It is understood there have been withdrawals, unavailabilities and injuries.
But 46?
Seriously.
Again, I wholeheartedly applaud Joyce’s desire to see young and older (forgotten?) players given a chance to strut their international potential.
But at 46 players (so far), I believe the squads have long since passed the point of elite exclusivity and gone perilously close to the region of demeaning the honor and privilege of wearing the green and gold.
I mean, ultimately you only need 12 for a World Championship and 12 for an Olympics.
This is the list of “potential” Opals so far:
Rebecca Allen, Suzy Batkovic, Abby Bishop, Sara Blicavs, Alex Bunton, Natalie Burton, Liz Cambage, Renae Camino, Stephanie Cumming, Tegan Cunningham, Stephanie Collins, Mikhaela Donnelly, Katie-Rae Ebzery, Jessica Foley, Cayla Francis, Kate Gaze, Kristi Harrower, Laura Hodges, Natalie Hurst, Lauren Jackson, Rachel Jarry, Alice Kunek, Tessa Lavey, Amy Lewis, Tess Madgen, Lauren Mansfield, Kathleen MacLeod, Rachael McCully, Carley Mijovic, Leilani Mitchell, Mia Newley, Jenna O’Hea, Elyse Penaluna, Erin Phillips, Gabrielle Richards, Samantha Richards, Jenni Screen, Nicole Seekamp, Belinda Snell, Stephanie Talbot, Penny Taylor, Olivia Thompson, Marianna Tolo, Kristen Veal, Kelly Wilson, Hanna Zavecz.