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NO-ONE, especially no-one in a Sydney Flames uniform, needed any reminding just why Bendigo's spiritual leader Sami Whitcomb is the WNBL's reigning Most Valuable Player. Ah but just for the hell of it, she did so anyway as her Spirit sent the flickering Flames faltering out of their fractious finals foray in a semi sweep.

Her 22 points at 50 per cent included 3-of-4 threes while her other numbers - 10 rebounds, six assists, a steal - were those of a champion in earnest pursuit of an elusive championship.

Kelsey Griffin also stood tall when it mattered but it was a typically shared experience for Bendigo as it took care of business over a plucky but undermanned opponent.

Give Sydney due credit and props. It came out blazing, racing to an early 14-3 lead that had the Quaycentre jumping and pumping.

Bendigo grafted it back to 23-31 by the first break but again, credit to Guy Molloy's crew for continuing to keep coming even in the face of a 30-13 Spirit second period.

Carla Pitman (12 points, seven rebounds, five assists), Bonnie Deas (12 points, five rebounds, an assist and a steal), Isabella Bracatisiano and Mckenna Dale had a red-hot go and let's face it now - those are not exactly Sydney Flames' "household names" ... possibly not even in their own households.

Led from the front by Tahlia Tupaea (game-high 24 points at 81 per cent, her 4-of-5 threes only slightly lower at 80 per cent), and with Cayla George lumbering around for the full 40 minutes and 15 points, six rebounds and six assists, this Sydney outfit really had no business staying as close as it did.

A season at the top may have weighed more heavily on Bendigo than predicted, neither of its 2-0 semi final sweep results all that dazzling.

The Flames gave a far more energetic and active account of themselves than Perth did in the rival semi final sweep by Townsville. And the Fire played with sufficient aplomb and confidence to suggest the forthcoming Grand Final Series - a revisit of the great Bendigo-Townsville rivalry that once dominated the WNBL and concluded with championship playoffs in 2013, 2014 and 2015 - is anything but a Spirit certainty.

Sydney continued to rally in the third to make a contest of it but Bendigo, with five players scoring in double figures, iced this with an emphatic 18-7 final quarter for a businesslike - but nothing more - 17-point win, the Flames with plenty to be excited about for next season.

Unquestionably, Townsville came out of the semi finals looking the sharper outfit and against a supposedly tougher opponent. The best-of-three Grand Finals tip off on Wednesday.

SEMI FINAL (1v4) BENDIGO SPIRIT v SYDNEY FLAMES

Game 1 – Bendigo Spirit 76 (Whitcomb 26, Burton 19, Wehrung, Tolo 10; Griffin 12 rebs; Burton 4 assts) d Sydney Flames 67 (Tupaea 16, George 14, Swain 7; Pitman, George 5 rebs; Pitman 5 assts) at Red Energy Arena, Bendigo. Crowd: 1,514. Bendigo lead series 1-0

Game 2 – Bendigo Spirit 91 (Whitcomb 22, Griffin 15, Tolo, Wilson 14, Burton 12; Whitcomb 10 rebs; Whitcomb 6 assts) d Sydney Flames 74 (Tupaea 24, George 15, Deas, Pitman 12; Pitman 7 rebs; George 6 assts) at Quaycentre, Sydney. Crowd: 1,603 Bendigo wins series 2-0

SEMI FINAL (2v3) PERTH LYNX v TOWNSVILLE FIRE

Game 1 – Townsville Fire 92 (Coffey 36, Woods 17, Fowler 14, Froling 10; Froling 8 rebs; Woods 10 assts) d Perth Lynx 87 (Wilson 32, Amihere 20, Atwell 11; Maley 15 rebs; Wilson 9 assts) at Bendat Basketball Centre, Perth. Crowd: 1,496. Townsville leads series 1-0

Game 2 – Townsville Fire 106 (Woods, Ellis 18, Fowler 16, Cox 15, Coffey 13, Froling 12; Cox 11 rebs; Ellis 9 assts) d Perth Lynx 76 (Wilson 24, Maley 17, Sowah 14, Ciabattoni 11; Maley 6 rebs; Wilson 7 assts) at Townsville Entertainment Centre. Crowd: 3,004 Townsville wins series 2-0

The Cygnett WNBL Grand Final Series BENDIGO SPIRIT v TOWNSVILLE FIRE

Game 1 – Wednesday, March 5 –Red Energy Arena, Bendigo

Game 2 – Sunday, March 9 – Townsville Entertainment Centre

Game 3 (if required) – Wednesday, March 12 – Red Energy Arena, Bendigo