Mackenzie is right at 'Holmes' in Geelong Venom role

• ‍UPSET OF THE SEASON! Flames end Spirit win streak‍
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• All 92 games of the 2025-26 WNBL season

Geelong's season is over but the Venom's 13-point win against the Sydney Flames on Sunday, February 1, 2026 - just two days after upsetting the defending champion Bendigo Spirit - is another reminder of what might have been.

Injuries crushed the Venom in WNBL26 as Shyla Heal missed multiple games to start the season, recovering from a knee injury, losing Gemma Potter to a season-ending knee injury in the game that Heal came back and WNBA player Alissa Pili missing a vast majority of the season.

But it's put the spotlight on American import Mackenzie Holmes, who led the Venom in scoring with 21 points on 8-from-12 from the field and pulled down 11 boards in 30 minutes.

"It’s been a great opportunity," Holmes said.

"Coming back from injury in Seattle, I didn’t play a whole lot. The fact that I’ve gotten a season where I’ve had a chance to grow and learn as a player, work through mistakes, and take on a different role than I had in Seattle and even in college has been really valuable.

"It’s just been a great opportunity to play night in and night out against some really good talent and with some really good players."

Venom head coach Chris Lucas admitted "I’ve never been through a situation like this internally".

"I said this the other night and I’ve said it before," Lucas added.

"All teams go through adversity, and our team has had it from day one internally. I’m really proud of our group. I’ve been in the league a long time and I’ve never been through a situation like this internally.

"The injuries, adjustments, Pili going down after five minutes in game one, she gets an kidney infection, ankles, it’s just been ongoing. Shyla Heal coming in late, it’s just been ongoing.

"I admire the way they’ve stuck together as a team and they haven’t shown any glimpses of breaking apart. I’m really proud of that."

Key Details

• Result: Geelong Venom 89 def. Sydney Flames 76
• When: Saturday, 1st February 2026
• Where: Quaycentre
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Mackenzie Holmes (Geelong Venom) starred with 21 points, 11 rebounds and one assist in 31 minutes.
• Unique Thompson (Sydney Flames) scored 22 points, and had 11 rebounds, one assist and three steals in 28 minutes.

What Happened

The Venom established early control with a dominant first quarter performance, outscoring the Flames 25-16 to set the foundation for their victory. Geelong maintained their advantage throughout the contest, leading at every break and never relinquishing control of the game. Their superior shooting and defensive pressure proved decisive in securing the 13-point win.

Jazmin Shelley orchestrated the Venom's offensive attack with exceptional efficiency, contributing 20 points on 6-from-12 shooting including a stellar 4-from-8 from beyond the arc. Her perfect free-throw shooting (4-from-4) and five assists demonstrated her complete command of the game. Shyla Heal added 14 points and eight assists, providing crucial support in the backcourt with her playmaking ability.

Holmes dominated in the paint with an outstanding performance, shooting 8-from-12 from the field and a perfect 5-from-5 from the charity stripe. Her 11 rebounds, including three offensive boards, gave Geelong crucial second-chance opportunities and established their interior presence. Alissa Pili chipped in with 11 points and nine rebounds, helping the Venom control the glass throughout the contest.

For Sydney, Thompson's 22 points kept the Flames competitive despite the defeat. She shot efficiently at 50% from the field (9-from-18) and dominated the boards with 11 rebounds, including seven offensive rebounds that provided valuable second-chance scoring opportunities. Agnes Emma-Nnopu contributed 19 points on solid 8-from-17 shooting, including 3-from-6 from downtown, while Shaneice Swain added 15 points with balanced scoring from all areas of the court.

The Venom's superior shooting proved to be the difference, as they connected at 49% from the field compared to Sydney's 43%. Geelong's exceptional three-point shooting (38% on 11-from-29) and dominant free-throw performance (95% on 20-from-21) showcased their offensive efficiency. The visitors also controlled the boards 46-44 and matched Sydney's assist total at 19 each, demonstrating a well-rounded team performance that secured their victory at Quaycentre.