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VICTORIAN clubs Southside Flyers and Melbourne Boomers have asserted themselves in no uncertain manner over preseason championship favourite Sydney and league-leading Townsville respectively, the "GOAT", Lauren Jackson running into the best shooting form of her WNBL return.  

Jackson scored a season-best 28 points on 10-of-14 shooting, or 71 per cent if you prefer, as the floundering Flyers tried something different, benching starter Nyadiew Puoch for veteran Leilani Mitchell.

The latter responded with 13 points at 50 per cent, plus six assists and three steals and while Sydney managed to keep Mercedes Russell from having her usual boards influence - she still grabbed seven rebounds - her 12 points came at 67 per cent.

Flames centre Cayla George tied the game at 62-62 in the last quarter but Jasmine Dickey (8 points, 8 rebounds 4 assists) scored a jumper, then two free throws to give Southside breathing space.

Vanessa Panousis' three trimed it it 65-66 for Sydney before Jackson pushed the lead back to three and Bec Cole doubled it with a triple for 71-65.

Dickey pulled the deficit back again but Jackson scored four straight points for a 75-67 buffer Sydney could not close.

Lauren Nicholson battled gamely, pairing 17 points with eight assists, Didi Richards offering solid support with 16 points at 70 per cent and four assists.

SOUTHSIDE FLYERS 79 (Jackson 28, Mitchell 13, Russell 12; Dickey 8 rebs; Mitchell 6 assts) d SYDNEY FLAMES 73 (Nicholson 17, Richards 16, George 10; George 7 rebs; Nicholson 8 assts) at State Basketball Centre. Crowd: 1,804

MISSING coach Chris Lucas and Opals/WNBA guard Kristy Wallace due to Covid protocols, Melbourne took a 12-point welt from defending champion and league-leading Townsville in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Today, with Lucas back and several adjustments made, the Boomers looked a completely different outfit from tip-off, Naz Hillmon (24 points at 57 per cent, 12 rebounds, 2 assists) opening the scoring off a Sara Blicavs feed.

Defensively, the Boomers were considerably focused and robust, Monique Conti harassing Steph Reid, Jordin Canada taking the points from foul-hamstrung Sami Whitcomb, and Keely Froling shutting down Mikaela Ruef.

Noted mostly for her boards activity, Ruef was restricted to four rebounds - she had 16 on Wednesday - and five points, plus four turnovers, Froling's confidence growing as she continued on to score 19 at 50 per cent, grab six rebounds, snare three steals while throwing in a block and an assist for good measure.

Another big factor on Wednesday, Courtney Woods was well contained as Blicavs also played patient offence, returning 11 points at 63 per cent.

Hillmon waged interior war with Zitina Aokuso and it was evenly poised at halftime, even though Melbourne had bumped its 25-16 first quarter lead to 47-35.

Aokuso had 13 points at halftime but as Amanda Zahui B suffered a leg injury that saw her leaving the game on crutches, fatigue was going to be a factor.

Hillmon thrived on it as did Penina Davidson before she suffered what appeared to be a calf tear, taking some gloss from the win.

But the further this game progressed, the further Melbourne burst clear, Conti and Aimie Rocci both providing experience and control, other than with a few customary wild passes.

The third quarter was Melbourne's finest, keeping Townsville scoreless while adding 15 points to turn a 12-point interval buffer into a burgeoning 27-point lead.

The lead out to 39 at one stage, the Fire merely could muster a 10-point third quarter and a 13-point last as Melbourne clinched this season-series 2-1 with a 48-point turnaround from Wednesday's clash.

Unfortunately the WNBL's ridiculous draw, which has too many games in far too many short periods, contributed to both title contenders losing a key player (Zahui B and Davidson), tragically most likely for the duration.     

MELBOURNE BOOMERS 94 (Hillmon 24, Froling 19, Canada 17, Blicavs 11, Conti 10; Hillmon 12 rebs; Canada 10 assts) d TOWNSVILLE FIRE 58 (Brown, Aokuso 13, Reid, Whitcomb 8; Aokuso 7 rebs; Reid 7 assts) at Melbourne Sports Centres. Crowd: 1,620