Blicavs Leads UC Capitals Past Southside Flyers in WNBL26 Season Opener

Sara Blicavs made her long-awaited return in style, guiding the UC Capitals to an 80–71 win over the Southside Melbourne Flyers in the WNBL26 season opener at John Cain Arena.

Playing her first WNBL game in more than 500 days after spinal fusion and disc replacement surgery, the 32-year-old forward delivered a stirring performance in front of more than 4,000 fans — finishing with 19 points, nine rebounds and relentless defensive energy.

“For someone like Sara, after everything she’s been through, to come back at this level just shows her quality,” Capitals coach Paul Goriss said. “She’s so versatile — she can shoot the three, post up smaller defenders, and defend all over the floor.”

Blicavs set the tone early with back-to-back triples, while Jade Melbourne (15 points, eight assists) and Nyadiew Puoch (16 points, five rebounds) helped drive Canberra’s crisp ball movement and intensity. The Capitals built a 10-point halftime lead and pushed it out with an 11–0 burst to start the third quarter, seizing control of the game.

Southside’s Tera Reed (22 points) and new recruit Issie Bourne (18 points, nine rebounds) led the Flyers’ resistance, while captain Cayla George was held to just four points — though she still climbed to third on the WNBL’s all-time scoring list with 5,205 career points.

Flyers coach Kristi Harrower admitted her team is still finding its rhythm. “We turned our physicality on and off — we can’t be like that,” she said. “We’ll need time to gel, and we need to get Cayla more involved offensively.”

After a tight opening stretch, the Capitals’ defensive pressure forced Southside into long, low-percentage shots. Blicavs and Melbourne converted turnovers into transition points, giving Canberra the separation it needed to dictate the tempo.

Southside trimmed the margin late through Reed and Bourne, but the Capitals’ composure and experience held firm to claim a memorable opening-round win.

Final score: UC Capitals 80 defeated Southside Melbourne Flyers 71.