Wilson Inspires Lynx to a Thrilling One-Point Win in Geelong

The Perth Lynx remain the WNBL’s only unbeaten team after surviving a late Geelong Venom surge to claim a dramatic 77–76 win at Geelong Arena on Saturday night.

In her long-awaited return from knee surgery, Ally Wilson made an immediate impact, scoring 14 points and grabbing four rebounds in just 20 minutes as she helped steer Perth to their third straight victory.

It was Wilson’s first WNBL game in over 100 days, having undergone knee cartilage surgery after winning Asia Cup gold with the Opals in July. She wasted no time finding her rhythm, while import forward Brianna Turner was a force inside with 13 points and 16 rebounds in another dominant double-double.

Despite the Lynx’s early control, Geelong refused to fold. The Venom fought back from a double-digit deficit and came within a whisker of victory when Mackenzie Holmes’ buzzer-beater dropped — only for officials to rule it too late.

Holmes, celebrating her birthday, was outstanding once again with 22 points and 16 rebounds, further strengthening her early MVP case. Alex Sharp (11 points, nine rebounds) and Gemma Potter (16 points, six rebounds) were also standouts for Geelong.

“We did just enough to survive,” Lynx coach Ryan Petrik admitted post-game. “We coasted for as long as we could and had to find second gear late. It wasn’t pretty, but it’s three wins — and Ally (Wilson) was terrific for her first game back.”

Venom coach Chris Lucas lamented how close his side came to the win. “We really deserved to win that,” he said. “We didn’t need a three at the end, but if Jaz Shelley’s open, we want her taking that shot. We had a few lapses, but I can’t fault the effort.”

The Lynx led by five at quarter-time and three at the half after Turner’s work on the glass helped offset Geelong’s late first-quarter run. Both sides traded blows through the third before Holmes dragged the Venom within one point heading into the final term.

Perth built another small buffer early in the fourth, but Geelong — led by Elissa Brett’s energy off the bench — refused to go away. In the end, time ran out before they could complete the comeback.

The result lifts the Lynx to 3–0, their best start since 2018, while Geelong 1-3 will be left to rue another near miss as they await the return of key stars Alissa Pili, Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard and Shyla Heal.

Final score: Perth Lynx 77 defeated Geelong Venom 76.