CASSIDY McLean already has her sights set on 2021 and hopes she has done enough to impress for another WNBL contract after successfully navigating a "crazy" return season.
The Merewether 21-year-old, who had been sidelined for 20 months because of an ACL injury and COVID-19 delays, feels like she will comeback even stronger having completed this condensed campaign in a North Queensland hub.
"The main goal for me was to get through the season without any injuries and I've achieved that," McLean said.
"Now that's done I want to keep playing and try to be even stronger when I get back."
McLean lined up with Bendigo Spirit, but despite finishing last and not registering a win she still "really enjoyed the season".
"Thinking about what we've just gone through is crazy," she said.
"Three weeks in Bendigo, two weeks quarantine in Brisbane and then 13 games in four or five weeks. I can't believe it all happened."
When substituted onto the court she was able to "forget about my knee and just focus on basketball". Her one-year contract has now ended.
"Hopefully I did enough to impress Bendigo or other clubs," she said.
She has identified the upcoming off-season as "important" and is currently weighing up her NBL1 options in Victoria.
McLean will attend Tuesday's WNBL presentation before returning home to Newcastle.
Novocastrian and Opals squad member Katie Ebzery, who recently reached a 300-game milestone, wrapped up her campaign with Perth last week.
Hamilton-based Leilani Mitchell and Hunters product Lara McSapdden now clash in a major semi between Southside Flyers and Townsville Fire following last-round results on Sunday.
Mitchell's Southside squad secured top spot with a 101-82 win over the UC Capitals, who slipped from second to third on the ladder.
McSpadden's mob leapfrogged the Canberra outfit having earlier defeated the Melbourne Boomers 70-64.
The Fire host the Flyers in Townsville on Wednesday with a ticket to the December 20 decider up for grabs.
Defending champions Capitals and fourth-placed Boomers face elimination when they go head-to-head in the minor semi-final, also held at Townsville on Wednesday.
A preliminary final, for the loser of the major and winner of the minor, is scheduled for Friday.
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