Perth Lynx follow Fremantle and West Coast routine and fly to Victoria earlier for Geelong United clash

Perth Lynx have followed the lead of Fremantle and West Coast by travelling to Victoria two days before Sunday’s match against Geelong United in an attempt to minimise the impact of the early start. The Lynx will play in Geelong at 9.30am WST on Sunday and were jumped by Canberra when they played that early in the nation’s capital before fighting back to win last month. With Geelong Arena about a one-hour drive from Melbourne Airport, the Lynx spent all of Friday flying to Victoria instead of continuing their usual routine of travelling the day before the game. Lynx General Manager Samantha Macpherson said new owners SEN had shown an immediate understanding of the travel challenges facing the team and given them the chance to spend an extra night on the road. “They have recognised the challenges of being a west coast team and allowed us to spend the money that’s needed to trial something new,” she said. “We know that we may have to play finals at a similar timeslot and if that is the case we really need to know if this works. It means we don’t get to the hotel late at night and then just wake up the next day and play straight away.” The Lynx are in second spot on the WNBL ladder and the finals are looming as a travel challenge for all teams given Bendigo are on top of the table and Townsville are sitting in third place. Bendigo is 90 minutes from Melbourne and travelling to Townsville requires stop overs for teams. Five of Perth’s last seven games are interstate, including trips to Bendigo, Townsville and fourth-placed Sydney which will provide them with chances to test the best routine for the business end of the season. Macpherson said the club had been assured that their clash against Geelong would be broadcast live into Perth despite the telecast of their Sunday morning win over Canberra being delayed by Channel 9. That match was broadcast live into other states and was available to be streamed live around the world, but Lynx fans had to wait to watch their team play as the United Cup tennis was broadcast live into Perth instead. Macpherson said Lynx fans would be able to watch the game live as they chase their sixth win in a row. “We have checked and the feedback we have been given is this match will be shown live into Perth,” she said.