Geelong Venom: Five things you need to know

• The Geelong Venom have won two WNBL championships
• The Venom have been known as the Bulleen Boomers, Melbourne Boomers and Geelong United throughout their history
• Last year was the first season after being relocated to Geelong, and they have rebranded for WNBL26 as the Venom

Geelong Venom enter WNBL26 with a bold new identity and renewed ambition. Formerly Geelong United (and before that Melbourne Boomers and Bulleen Boomers), the team has undergone a major rebrand under Geelong United Basketball.

With added depth and exciting new talent, year two in Geelong promises a stronger, more competitive campaign.

2024-25 Season Summary

• Record (6-15)
• Finish 7th (Missed Postseason)
• All NBL Selections: -

Geelong United’s debut season in Geelong was a rebuilding year. While results were inconsistent, the team gained valuable experience and laid the foundation for the Venom era. This offseason brings not just a new name however, but also exciting young talent as Shyla Heal should be back from injury soon, and the team added more WNBA talent in Alissa Pili and Mackenzie Holmes.

Geelong Venom Roster

Head coach: Chris Lucas

• Alex Sharp
• Elissa Brett
• Gemma Potter
• Jazmin Shelley
• Taylor Mole
• Shyla Heal
• Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard
• Lilly Rotunno (signed on Tuesday, July 29, 2025)
• Alissa Pili (signed on Tuesday, September 2, 2025).
• Mackenzie Holmes (Seattle Storm draftee signed on Wednesday, September 10, 2025)

INS: Shyla Heal; Alissa Pili; and Mackenzie Holmes

OUTS: Hannah Hank; Keely Froling; Daniel Raber; and Dakota Crichton

Geelong Venom History

The Geelong Venom trace their origins back to 1984 when they debuted in the WNBL as the Bulleen Boomers and were initially coached by Trevor Cook. The Boomers made the finals in 1989 and 1990, behind Karin Maar and Debbie Slimmon, who was the league MVP in 1990. 

The Boomers failed to assert themselves as title hopefuls for the majority of the next two decades, with the closest they were able to get to the title being back to back semi final appearances in 2005 and 2006, behind MVP seasons from Katrina Hibbert.

Finally, the franchise became a contender in the late 2010s with a roster that included Jenna O’Hea, Sharin Milner and a young Liz Cambage, making four straight grand finals which included a championship in 2011. 

In 2013, the club changed their name to the Melbourne Boomers to entice a broader market of fans. As Melbourne, the team was able to keep us this success making the postseason in eight out of the 11 seasons they were in the league. Melbourne’s greatest feat was the 2022 title run to achieve the franchise’s second banner. This championship was heralded by Ezi Magbegor, Lindsay Allen and Cayla George as the superstar trio that dominated the league.

In 2024, a consortium of private investors from Geelong were able to have the license transferred down south to Geelong where they would become Geelong United, and just one season later the Geelong Venom.

Five Fast Facts

1. The Venom had the first ever 100 point postseason game in the 2011 Grand Final as they scored 103
2. Jaz Shelley led the league in steals last season at 2.5
3. In 2022, Ezi Magbegor won a record third Breakout player of the year award on the Boomers
4. The Venom franchise has the most number of MVPs to its name with 8 total
5. The franchise has an overall regular season record of 431- 430

Club Timeline

• 1984: Club founded and debuted in the WNBL as the Bulleen Boomers
• 1989-90: Made the finals behind Karin Maar and Debbie Slimmon, who won league MVP in 1990.
• 2005-06: Reach back-to-back finals with MVP seasons from Katrina Hibbert.
• Late 2000s-2010s: Reached four straight grand finals.
• 2010-11: Win first WNBL championship 
• 2013: Rebrand as Melbourne Boomers 
• 2013-24: Maintain success as Melbourne
• 2021-22: Win second WNBL championship
• 2024-25: WNBL license transferred to Geelong
• 2025: Rebrand as Geelong Venom

Even after a challenging debut season in Geelong, the Venom are ready to show that last year was just the beginning. With exciting new additions like Shyla Heal, Mackenzie Holmes, and Alissa Pili, alongside an experienced coach in Chris Lucas and a mix of young talent, Geelong looks set to be a tough opponent in WNBL26. Keep your eyes on the Venom to be a competitive force in the league that can play spoiler on any given night.

Geelong Venom is a pivotal force in Victorian basketball, uniting the region's rich sporting heritage with ambitious plans for the future. Geelong United is the newest WNBL club in Australia, joining the national competition in 2024. The club rebranded from Geelong United to Venom in July of 2025, with Venom being chosen for its energy, edge and representation of strength, precision and identity. Inspired by Australia’s most dangerous snakes, the branding reflects a team designed to strike: with instinct, control and confidence.

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