Basketball On The Internet.

THE WNBL’s 2023-24 Season tips off tonight in Adelaide with a full-strength Lightning hosting Melbourne, the Boomers down Kristy Wallace and Monique Conti, and with Aimee Rocci (concussion protocols) a game-time decision.

It's not the ideal start for Melbourne but then Adelaide also is down 2022 FIBA World Cup All Star Five utility Steph Talbot and import Jocelyn Willoughby is recently off the plane.

It should be a beaut, with Melbourne narrowly home behind the work of boom recruits Sara Blicavs and Keely Froling.

The Lynx are at home to a revamped Sydney team which is one of the championship fancies and starts a strong favourite to open with a road win.

The great rivalry between Bendigo and Townsville continues to produce gold and this match-up should be no exception, the Fire favourites but the Spirit coming off the best preseason of any club in recent memory.

Southside should flex its muscle over crosstown rival Melbourne, with twin towers Mercedes Russell and Lauren Jackson the major headaches for the Boomers.

Adelaide at Canberra closes the round in what should be a toss up, the Lightning looking very capable but the Caps unlikely to start by dropping at home.

So many excellent players and off-season movements suggests season 2023-24 will be a gem.

But we’re tipping Southside, Townsville, Sydney and Melbourne to be alive at the business end, Bendigo and Adelaide narrow casualties, with Canberra and Perth bringing up the rear. However, every roster is loaded meaning this season, more than ever, any team which doesn’t bring its A-game on match night can expect to be in trouble.