The Southside Melbourne Flyers aren’t afraid of being branded the WNBL’s youngest and most inexperienced team, with forward Hannah Hank believing it's a key ingredient in their recipe for future success.
Southside Melbourne endured a tumultuous off-season when they lost several star players, including veteran Cayla George (pregnancy), point guard Maddy Rocci (Geelong), American Haley Peters (Perth) and Opal Issie Bourne (Sydney).
They also parted ways with coach Kristi Harrower, with the club believing the side was off the pace last campaign and needed a fresh start, despite reaching the semi-finals.
Pundits had already begun writing off the Flyers as championship contenders, but last Friday Hank's side almost upset the star-studded Sydney Flames.
The 77-73 defeat came as the game-day squad had an average age of 22.8 years, with Chinese international Wang Siyu (31) the only player older than 30.
“There's a lot of talk about us being the youngest side, but that's something we all embrace. We're a side that's really keen to grow, learn and continue to push to get better,” Hank told AAP ahead of their clashes against the Tasmania Jewels on Thursday and Geelong Venom on Saturday.
“Development is important to us as a program. It doesn’t deter us that we don't have as many veterans as some other teams."
The 25-year-old was also quick to throw her support behind the Flyers' new coach Sam Mackinnon, after questions swirled around the former South East Melbourne Phoenix and Brisbane Bullets mentor's credentials, considering he hasn’t coached a first-grade women’s team.
“He's pushed development as a focus for this group, and that's given everyone the leeway to know that you're allowed to make mistakes, and failures are going to be part of this process,” Hank said.
“But as much as he's challenged us to grow in different areas, he's also instilled a lot of confidence in each of us."
The Perth Lynx also lost a significant part of their core from last season, with Chinese superstar Han Xu (Geelong), Opal Ally Wilson (Sydney) and sharpshooter Amy Atwell (Canberra) departing.
But last campaign's grand finalists defied expectations by beating the defending champions Townsville Fire on Saturday, without their star forward Anneli Maley (WNBA) as well.
"I feel like the one thing that most of us have is full confidence in (coach) Ryan Petrik," Perth's Alex Ciabattoni told AAP ahead of their clash against the Adelaide Lightning on Saturday.
"Obviously in his coaching, but his ability to recruit ... I've been around here a while now, and I've got a lot of confidence in this group."
Sydney's Wilson is expected to return from a knee injury to play the UC Capitals on Friday, before the Flames back up against Townsville on Sunday.
The Bendigo Spirit host the Fire next Tuesday to complete the round.
