Perth Lynx co-captain Anneli Maley reveals the secrets to success after triple-double against Sydney Flames

Perth Lynx co-captain Anneli Maley has described her history making triple-double against Sydney Flames as a reward for never being complacent and constantly trying to improve. Maley joined Michele Timms, Tully Bevilaqua, Deanna Black and Melissa Marsh as the only players to record triple-doubles for the club and became the first person to achieve it for Perth since 2009. She finished the game with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists as the Lynx beat Sydney 108-93 at the Perth High Performance Centre on Saturday. Maley has already represented the Australian Opals at the World Cup, been to the Olympics at 3x3 and won a WNBL MVP award as a star scorer and rebounder. But increasing her assists this season has had Maley on triple-double watch multiple times. She said it was important to never stop improving. “I work really, really hard. I really do. I try really, really hard,” Maley said. “Sometimes it is cool to see the skills I do work on and see them actually work because there are so many times where I try stuff that doesn’t work. “I’m never chasing stats. It’s not something I do. It’s not something I’ve ever done. I’m just trying to try really hard. “I would like to, every year I play in the league, get better at something and not just stay complacent at being a good rebounder. I want to continue to work on my shooting, my ball handling and my passing. That is something I want to continue to do.” Maley will compete with Bendigo’s Isobel Borlase and Townsville’s Courtney Woods for the WNBL MVP award in Sydney on Monday. Coaches, captains and a panel of experts will decide that honour, but both Lynx coach Ryan Petrik and Flames coach Renae Garlepp revealed they’d submitted their MVP votes before the game. Petrik said Maley’s ability to do everything well made her stand out from the pack. “The kid is elite. She’s just a workhorse,” he said. “She has the ability to be so malleable. You can move her anywhere you need in the roster. There was no Ally (Wilson)tonight so she becomes your de facto point-guard. You can move her anywhere and she will excel.” The Lynx couldn’t move from second spot and didn’t risk playing Wilson, Steph Gorman or Tegan Graham ahead of next week’s semifinals against Bendigo. Development Player Jaya Scafidi seized her chance and had a day to remember with 13 points.