BPL15 Preview
Following February’s sensational event in Moama, the Bowls Premier League (BPL) spectacle will again descend on the tournament’s spiritual home at Club Pine Rivers in Brisbane’s northwest for BPL15.
The ten franchises were all closely matched in BPL14, with the last two finals positions only locked in following the final bowl of the home and away rounds, and with similar outfits taking to the greens again, this tournament is set to be the tightest yet.
Defending champions Sydney Lions will bring the same outfit to Brisbane, with four-time winner Karen Murphy AM spearheading the trio that also consists of Right at home Jackaroos Ben Twist and Aaron Wilson.
The Lions played some exquisite bowls on finals night to claim an unprecedented fourth crown, regaining the outright title of most successful franchise after defeating Moama Steamers in the decider.
Moama, who finished on top of the ladder heading into the finals, have made one change to its trio with Kevin Anderson heading home to Scotland for a friend’s wedding to be replaced by reigning tournament MVP and four-time BPL champion, Aron Sherriff.
Sherriff will join Ryan Bester and Natasha Van Eldik as the Steamers look to bring a third crown back to the border town.
Brisbane Pirates will look to pounce on the home club atmosphere, with the parochial fans expected to be as loud as ever to cheer on Alex Marshall MBE, Chris Rosanes and the returning Jo Edwards MNZM, who replaces Ellen Falkner MBE in the line-up.
It took a Marshall masterstroke in the first final in Moama to end the three-peat dreams for Tweed Heads Ospreys who will eager to regain the title and ensure that the franchise’s dynasty is far from over.
Two-time MVP and four-time champion Aaron Teys returns for the Ospreys, as do fellow Jackaroos Chloe Stewart and Corey Wedlock.
Fellow finalists Adelaide Pioneers also remain unchanged with Wayne Ruediger, Katelyn Inch and two-time tournament MVP Scott Thulborn leading the charge to bring the BPL trophy home to South Australia for the first time.
Following the loss of Sherriff, Gold Coast Hawks have named a handy replacement to join Kelsey Cottrell and Nathan Rice in New Zealand Blackjack Shannon McIlroy, who is a former MVP and winner of the event.
The Hawks’ finals hopes were crushed following a come-from-behind win for the Melbourne eXtreme, who will bring an unchanged line-up of Carla Krizanic, Matt Flapper and Ali Forsyth.
Across the city, the Melbourne Pulse will also take an unchanged trio up the coast, with Barrie Lester, Ellen Ryan and Gary Kelly donning the navy and red yet again.
Following some torrid luck in tie-breaks, Tasmania Tridents will look to make its maiden finals tilt, and with the same line-up of Rebecca Van Asch, Taelyn Male and Mark Nitz.
Across the Nullabhor, Perth Suns will finally have the chance to make history as the first franchise to unveil two women in its trio, with Kristina Krstic making her long awaited BPL return alongside Dawn Hayman and Cody Packer.
#BPL15 will run from May 23-27, 2022 and will be broadcast live on Fox Sports, Kayo and Sky Sports NZ from Tuesday to Friday from 4pm-10pm AEST.
