Special Cayla soars as Southside blow out Geelong

• Flyers led wire-to-wire with zero lead changes across 40 minutes
• Cayla George posted 24 points and 16 rebounds in dominant captain’s performance
• Maddi Rocci shot 8-of-9, adding seven assists and three steals
• Southside closed the game on a decisive 17–0 fourth-quarter run

Southside Melbourne Flyers delivered a commanding wire-to-wire performance, overwhelming Geelong Venom 86–58 at the VIC State Basketball Centre on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

The Flyers set the tone early with a 23–11 opening quarter and never relinquished control, leading for 39:47 of game time with zero lead changes. Their advantage steadily grew across all four periods, peaking at a 33-point margin late in the fourth as Southside closed the game on a decisive 17–0 run.

Captain Cayla George anchored the win with a dominant all-around performance – 24 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists and an efficiency rating of 35 in just under 34 minutes. Maddi Rocci was equally influential, pouring in 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting, while adding 7 assists, 3 steals, and relentless defensive pressure. Isabelle Bourne (10 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists) and Makenna Marisa (11 points) rounded out a balanced starting group.

Southside’s superiority showed across the stat sheet – 64.3% shooting on two-pointers, a 45–33 rebounding edge, and 27 assists on 36 made field goals. Geelong struggled to generate consistent offence, shooting 43.3% inside the arc and committing 17 turnovers, with Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard (13 points) the lone Venom player to reach double figures.

It was a complete, professional performance from the Flyers, built on efficiency, ball movement, and sustained defensive pressure.

Southside are fifth at 4-7 and a game behind fourth-placed UC Capitals at 5-6 while the Venom slipped to last at 3-10.

Key Details

• Result: Southside Melbourne Flyers 86 def. Geelong Venom 58
• When: Monday, 16th of December 2025
• Where: VIC State Basketball Centre, Victoria
• Attendance: 1,569
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Cayla George (Southside Melbourne Flyers) starred with 24 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in 34 minutes.
• Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard (Geelong Venom) scored 13 points, and had four rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 24 minutes.

What Happened

The Flyers established complete control from the opening tip, racing to a 23-11 first quarter advantage behind outstanding shooting from the field. Their balanced offensive attack proved too much for the Venom, who struggled to find rhythm throughout the contest. George dominated the paint early, while Maddi Rocci provided excellent scoring support with efficient shooting that set the tone for the comprehensive victory.

Southside Melbourne extended their dominance in the second period, outscoring Geelong 22-20 to take a commanding 45-31 halftime lead. The Flyers' superior ball movement created numerous high-percentage looks, with the team shooting an impressive 64% from the field compared to Venom's lacklustre 43%. George continued her dominant display in the paint, cleaning the glass effectively while Rocci's playmaking ability shone through with seven assists.

The third quarter saw the Flyers completely take control of the contest, outscoring the visitors 24-13 to establish an insurmountable 69-44 advantage. Their biggest scoring run of 17 points during this period effectively put the game beyond doubt. Isabelle Bourne contributed significantly during this stretch, adding 10 points and 10 rebounds for a solid double-double performance that complemented George's dominance.

Individual brilliance from George and Rocci highlighted the Flyers' exceptional team performance. George's efficient 8-from-14 shooting from two-point range, combined with her overwhelming presence on the boards, proved the difference maker. Rocci was absolutely on fire, converting an outstanding 8-from-9 attempts from inside the arc while facilitating effectively for her teammates. For Geelong, Clinch Hoycard provided the lone bright spot with 13 points, including three triples from eight attempts.

The final statistics told the story of complete Southside Melbourne domination. The Flyers' outstanding 64% field goal shooting overwhelmed Venom's poor 26% accuracy from beyond the arc. Southside Melbourne dominated the paint with 46 points compared to Geelong's 22, while also controlling the boards 45-33. The 28-point victory margin reflected the gulf in class between the two sides, with the Flyers never trailing and holding their biggest lead of 33 points late in the contest.