Spectres Find Their Rhythm in Tassie

After a rocky couple of weeks, the Nunawading Spectres women rediscovered their trademark grit and firepower, sweeping their Tasmanian road trip with emphatic wins over the Hobart Chargers and Launceston Tornadoes to move above .500 for the season (5-4) — just in time for a blockbuster GEBC Cup clash this Saturday night at The Graveyard.

It was a tale of two halves on Friday night in Hobart, as the Spectres were left searching for answers early, managing just 22 points by halftime and trailing the Chargers by a whopping 20.

But whatever was said in the locker room worked — and then some.

Led by an inspired Rachael Antoniadou masterclass, the Spectres flipped the switch and stormed home with a 46-16 second-half blitz to snatch a critical 68-58 win. Antoniadou was sensational, torching the Chargers with 31 points on an ultra-efficient 10-of-18 from the field, including six triples, while adding seven rebounds and three steals.

Laina Snyder continued to anchor both ends of the floor with 14 rebounds, four steals, and three blocks, while the Brewster-Tanner combo delivered hustle stats across the board to spark the turnaround.

It was the type of gutsy comeback that reminds us what this team is made of — and why no lead is ever safe against the red, white and navy.

Less than 24 hours later and 200 kilometres up the road, the Spectres faced a dangerous Tornadoes outfit desperate for their first win of 2025. And despite a hot start from Nunawading, the hosts kept hanging around — until the fourth quarter, when the Spectres dialled up a 9-0 run to put the game to bed.

Final score: Nunawading 78, Launceston 69. Job done. Weekend swept.

While Friday was the Antoniadou show, Saturday night was all about balance. All five starters hit double-figures, a stat that will have Head Coach (and fans alike) smiling. Antoniadou backed up with 16 points and five rebounds, while Isabel Feller found her groove with 15 points and two steals. Laina Snyder was again a rock inside, finishing with 14 points and 12 boards. Faith Dut added 13, Rachel Brewster chimed in with 13 and four steals — a full-team performance when it mattered most.

The Spectres now return home brimming with momentum ahead of a fiery second-leg showdown with the Ringwood Hawks this Saturday night in the GEBC Cup. Ringwood stole Game 1 in front of their fans — now it’s Nunawading’s turn to even the ledger.

With Antoniadou red-hot, Snyder dominating the glass, and the supporting cast firing on all cylinders, expect a big turnout and even bigger energy at The Graveyard.

The Spectres are surging — and their season may have just turned a corner.

Don’t miss it. Be loud. Be proud. And bring The Graveyard to life.