Alicia Froling's long-awaited Opals debut became a reality on Tuesday night, with the forward earning her first senior cap alongside fellow debutants Sitaya Fagan and Bonnie Deas in Australia's 76–74 victory over China at John Cain Arena.
For Froling, the milestone marked the reward for years of persistence after overcoming significant wrist injuries that forced her to completely change the way she shoots.
"It's really exciting. It's been a long time coming for me and my journey, so to make my debut on home soil and come away with the win is really special," Froling said.
"I used to be a right-handed shooter and now I shoot left-handed, so it's been a long road. I'm pretty stubborn, so to finally get this opportunity alongside these girls means a lot.
The celebrations continued after the Opals two-point win, with Froling joining her teammates as a sea of fans in green and gold awaited them courtside.
"This group's been incredible. We spend so much of the year competing against each other, so to come together, get to know everyone and play alongside these girls instead of guarding them has been really special.
"To still be out here signing autographs and taking photos with our fans just shows how much support there is for this team. It's awesome to see everyone come out and cheer us on."
The series continues tonight with Game 2 tipping off at 5:40pm AEST – Live on 9Go!
Tickets are still available via Ticketek.
This is the bit where Melbourne roars. Where winter belongs to the crowd, the clash, the edge-of-your-seat moments you feel in your chest. It's the scent of fresh coffee drifting out of laneway roasters, the neon-lit glow of hidden bars that feel like secrets, the sudden warmth of a gallery, a gig, a perfectly timed bowl of something slow-cooked and soul-filling. At Melbourne's iconic sporting venues, the atmosphere is everything. It's the shared chants, the collective gasps, the thrill of being part of something bigger than yourself. Come winter in Melbourne, it’s every bit different.
