Two Kids, Two Championships and now 300 WNBL Games for Carley Ernst
Dual WNBLChampion Carley Ernst is set to cement her legacy among the greats of Australian basketball when she returns to the court for the Southside Melbourne Flyers this Saturday, October 24, marking her historic 300th WNBL game.
Ernst is scheduled to play her highly anticipated first game of the season against Geelong Venom in Geelong on Saturday afternoon. Reaching this rare triple-century milestone is a testament to far more than her elite basketball ability—it stands as a monument to her incredible dedication, resilience, and drive.
Since making her WNBL debut in 2009, Ernst's journey has been anything but ordinary. He rpath includes periods away from the sport for the birth of her two children (Kylan and Reuben), alongside a heavily restricted 2024/25 campaign dictated by a severe back injury. Having played her 299th game in February 2025, it has been a long and patient wait to finally cross the 300-game threshold.
“I am so looking forward to returning to the court for the Flyers on Saturday," Ernst said this week. "The milestone is something I am very proud of, and I am sure it is something I will look back on very fondly in years to come.
"What an honour it is to be on the list of some of those names, there are so many great Australian basketball players, and I’m honestly speechless to be among them.
“It’s really cool and special to be able to achieve this, especially after having the kids
"At the moment I am really focused on being back playing and enjoying being around this fantastic group of players and coaches, led by our Head Coach Sam Mackinnon. I am very fortunate to be part of the Flyers; the support provided is wonderful and it is great being around the team and all the supporters.”
Flyers Head Coach Sam Mackinnon praised Ernst's wonderful achievement, highlighting her dual impact as an elite athlete and a leader.
“Reaching 300 games in a league as competitive as the WNBL is an incredible milestone, and Carley has worked so hard to continue her career at such a high level,"Mackinnon said.
"Her dedication to return to play after injury and the birth of her son is an inspiration. Her experience, leadership, and work ethic are vital to this group—it is exactly why ‘Super Mum’ is a co-captain this season.”
With this weekend's appearance, Ernst officially becomes just the 24th player to reach the 300-game milestone in the prestigious 46-year history of the league.
A proud Dandenong Rangers junior, Ernst first stepped onto the WNBL stage for the AIS when she was just 15 years old. She went on to represent Australia as a prominent junior in the U17 and U19 national programs—notably securing a bronze medal at the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championships. A member of the senior Opals squad in 2013, her global potential was recognized when she was drafted by the Washington Mystics in the 2014 WNBA Draft.
Ernst wil ltake the court to secure her place in history this Saturday, October 24, when the Flyers clash with the Venom in Geelong. Tip-off is scheduled for3:00 pm.
