Tigers snare Griffiths
By STEPHEN HOWELL
Wednesday 1 December 1999

Tigers-bound: Michelle Griffiths.

Melbourne Tigers have gazumped Bulleen Boomers to net Michelle Griffiths, one of the Women's National Basketball League's best players.

Griffiths, 26, had always planned to return to the league for the second half of the season after the birth of a son, Bailey. Bulleen was considered the team most likely, but it could not match Melbourne's offer.

Yesterday, Griffiths said she had not made a decision and was waiting to hear from her agent, Hugh Sandie, who is overseas. But Boomers coach Lori Chizik said the player had rung her to say she had chosen Melbourne.

"We put in a lot of hard work in trying to recruit her, but it became a matter of dollars and cents," said Chizik.

The Tigers are believed to be paying Griffiths up to $10,000 for the remainder of this season and up to $30,000 for next season. Bulleen could offer only half what Melbourne offered for this season and could make no commitment for next.

So Griffiths, a professional basketballer, has made the logical decision. When told yesterday that Bulleen had said she was going to Melbourne for more money, Griffiths laughed and said: "That's interesting. Hughie's doing the paperwork and I hope to know something by tomorrow or Thursday."

Russell Wilkinson, spokesman for Melbourne's women's management committee, said it was premature to say the deal was done, but he added: "It's moving in a positive direction."

Griffiths' decision will fuel rivalry between the teams, who play each other at Bulleen on Saturday. Griffiths will not be ready to play, but she said she would like to get a game or two in before the Christmas break.

If she plays against Perth Breakers on 11December and Adelaide Lightning on 18December, and in the eight home-and-away games in January and February, the Tigers should have time to get enough wins to make the playoffs.

Adding Griffiths to import forward/centre Kristin Folkl and Opals guard Kristi Harrower gives the Tigers a chance of a championship that was no chance after they lost their first five games. Now they are 4-6 and in touch with other teams fighting for one of the final four positions - Canberra Capitals (7-2), Perth (6-3), Adelaide (5-4), Dandenong Rangers (5-4), Sydney Flames (6-6) and Bulleen (5-5).

Power forward Griffiths has not played in the WNBL since she was the league's most valuable player with Sydney in 1998, averaging 17points and rebounds.

After her '98 WNBA season with Phoenix Mercury she missed the 1998-99 WNBL season to play in the Italian first division, returning to Melbourne with husband Steve mid-way through the season when she became pregnant.

A long contractual dispute with the Flames was resolved only last month, allowing teams to recruit her.

After having her baby early in October, Griffiths has been involved with Bulleen. Fitness coach Andrew Tranquilli has worked with her, Chizik has done individual sessions for the national team with her and also invited her to some of Bulleen's sessions with Jenny Whittle and the team's bigger players.

But the Boomers' general manager, Jen Beha, said money ruled and Bulleen could not compete. Interestingly, Lindsay Gaze, coach of the NBL Tigers, said in The Age yesterday: "The WNBL team is a very, very serious drain on the club."

Griffiths' salary will not add to the drain because a sponsor is believed to be putting up the money. Wilkinson said financial details were between player and club but said the management committee was looking for sponsor dollars.

Saturday's game, according to Beha, will be quite emotional. "We've got a fantastic rivalry with Dandenong," she said. "This is going to create a bigger one with the Tigers."