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THERE have been some extraordinary final regular season rounds in the WNBL's long history, but few would come close to this one, the return of import superstar Aari McDonald squeezing Perth Lynx back into the Final Four at big-spending Sydney's expense, and only after the final match was played.

Injured early while the Lynx were still surprising everyone, her absence was pronounced and her return unbelievable, with 24 points to lead Perth past Canberra 94-79, then with 26 points against Bendigo for the most unlikely of wins this round.

But wait. We're getting ahead of ourselves.

This pinnacle round opened with Southside visiting Townsville, the defending champion Fire on a 13-6 record, the incoming Flyers on 12-7 and their season-series tied at 1-1.

The winner would take first place and with it, the benefits of homecourt advantage throughout the best-of playoffs.

To say this was big in determining the outcome of the post-season - and to be played out by last season's Grand Finalists - would be to underplay the word "big".

Mercedes Russell, with a 24-point (at 69 percent), 14-rebound double-double and Lauren Jackson (17 points at 60 percent, game-high 3-of-6 threes) helped Southside build a 23-16 first quarter start and while the reigning champs were never out of it, down the stretch, the Flyers had all the answers.

Their 77-70 victory tied their win-loss records at 13-7 and with the 2-1 season-series split, Southside exacted a satisfying "revenge" to steal first place. The scenes of jubilation showed they knew it, too.

All Southside had to do now was beat seventh-placed Adelaide.

Next it was Melbourne, on 11-9 and with Sydney (11-9), Bendigo (11-9) and Perth (10-10) breathing down their necks, the Boomers simply had to beat the Capitals in Canberra.

Still missing injured Tall Ferns Penina Davidson (calf) and Tera Reed (concussion), and with Opals forward Sara Blicavs playing hurt, Melbourne found a super inside target in Naz Hillmon who dominated proceedings with 35 points on 13-of-17 shooting.

Trailing 63-73 midway through the last quarter, Canberra mounted a surge which culminated in an 11-0 run and 74-73 lead, Alex Sharp (18 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, four steals) instrumental - Nicole Munger also key with five 3-pointers for the game - but Jade Melbourne blotting her copybook.

Jade had six points on 1-of-12 shooting, her 11 assists contrasted by 13 turnovers. Jordin Canada tied the game from the free throw line and had two foul shots with 2.7 seconds left.

Making the first, she missed the second, Canberra only with enough time for a rebound and long-distance heave, the Boomers moving to 12-9 with their one-point escape. It was serendipitous Canada hit the winning point, her turnovers during Canberra's 11-0 run a big factor in that comeback.

With the relief of their 12th win secured, Melbourne had breathing space but still was not completely safe if Bendigo beat Perth and Sydney rocked Townsville in the season's last game.

With its chance for first spot taken by Southside, Townsville could be forgiven for playing that last game with very little fire. 

But circumstances changed dramatically when Adelaide import Brianna Turner turned it on with a 20-point, 13-rebound double against the Flyers.

The Lightning struck with a 46-31 second half that turned a halftime deficit into a 74-60 road win and sent Southside's win-loss record back down to 13-8. Isobels Borlase and Bourne had 16 and 14 points respectively and five assists apiece, the presence of Opals star Steph Talbot back in the Adelaide lineup changing the confidence within this team.

Suddenly now, Townsville (13-7) had something to play for against Sydney, victory restoring it to first place.

The form team of the past month, Bendigo looked en route to the playoffs as Kelsey Griffin (24 points, 12 rebounds) and Ally Wilson (16 points, 12 rebounds, five assists) steered the Spirit 16 clear of Perth.

A fortnight ago, the Lynx were labouring and almost out of the equation as their record slipped from 9-8 to 9-10. But McDonald's return was just the tonic.

The match - and finals - appearing to be slipping away, she went into overdrive, connecting on five 3-pointers in her 26-point haul, Amy Atwell arking up with 23 points and four triples, and Miela Goodchild making some big baskets in her 14-point contribution.

Perth swept ahead and its 49-25 second half left Bendigo choking on its fumes, unable to find a response as its season went down the gurgler.

The Lynx on 11-10 and owning the season-series over Bendigo (11-10) and Sydney (11-9) now meant the Flames had to beat Townsville or be ousted from the Final Four at the season's death.

But Southside's loss to Adelaide meant Townsville now had first place to play for and it came out accordingly, Mikaela Ruef stroking 5-of-7 threes and Zitina Aokuso flourishing on the pick-and-roll with open shots after open shot, exploiting the Flames' defensive system.

Didi Richards had a 14-point first period to pace Sydney but her sideline collision with Aokuso late in the second quarter left the latter in severe physical distress.

It left the door ajar for the Flames who had Shanice Swain enjoying a career night with 19 points. And Sydney sure needed it.

The Fire contained Lauren Nicholson to just 10 shots - though she still compiled 18 points - but Cayla George had a stinker, seven points on 2-of-9 shooting and unable to restrict Aokuso or Amanda Zahui B at the other end.

Townsville's win took it to 14-7 and back to claiming the regular season championship, Southside second on 13-8.

Melbourne will face the Flyers in their semi final series after finishing third on 12-9 and Perth snuck into the post-season at fourth with an 11-10 record. It faces Townsville in their semi final series.

Sydney 11-10 and Bendigo 11-10 are left to lament what might have been, Adelaide 8-13 and Canberra 4-17 looking ahead to what could be.

SOUTHSIDE FLYERS 77 (Russell 24, Jackson 17, Rocci 11; Russell 14 rebs; Mitchell 7 assts) d TOWNSVILLE FIRE 70 (Reid 19, Woods 17, Aokuso 13, Whitcomb 10; Ruef 10rebs; Whitcomb, Reid 4 assts) at Townsville Entertainment Centre. Crowd: 2,215

MELBOURNE BOOMERS 75 (Hillmon 35, Canada 22, Conti 9; Hillmon 8 rebs; Wallace, Canada 4 assts) d UNI of CANBERRA CAPITALS 74 (Munger 20, Sharp 18, Potter 14, Fowler 13; Sharp 12 rebs; Melbourne 11 assts) at National Convention Centre. Crowd: 1,745

ADELAIDE LIGHTNING 74 (Turner 20, Borlase 16, Bourne 14; Turner 13 rebs; Borlase, Bourne 5 assts) d SOUTHSIDE FLYERS 60 (Cole 20, Mitchell 9, Russell 8; Russell; 14 rebs; Rocci 6 assts) at Melbourne Sports Centre. Crowd: 1,560

PERTH LYNX 93 (McDonald 26, Atwell 23, Goodchild 14; Maley 11 rebs; McDonald 4 assts) d BENDIGO SPIRIT 74 (Griffin 24, Froling 17, A.Wilson 16; Griffin, A.Wilson 12 rebs; A.Wilson 5 assts) at Red Energy Centre. Crowd: 777

TOWNSVILLE FIRE 90 (Ruef 22, Aokuso 21, Reid 15, Kunek 13, Woods 11; Ruef 9 rebs; Whitcomb 6 assts) d SYDNEY FLAMES 78 (Richards 23, Swain 19, Nicholson 18; George 11 rebs; Nicholson 5 assts) at Townsville Entertainment Centre. Crowd: 2,690