“Every day you grow as a player”

Less than two weeks after being waived by WNBA expansion franchise Toronto Tempo on May 1, Maddy Rocci returned to NBL1 South with a statement Round 6 performance that earned her NBL1 South Women’s Player of the Week honours.

Rocci led Keilor Thunder to back-to-back wins across the weekend, helping the Thunder defeat Frankston on the road before producing a triple double in Sunday’s dominant home victory over Hobart.

The weekend began on Saturday night at Jubilee Park Stadium, where Keilor pulled away after quarter time to defeat the Frankston Blues 84-57.

After scores were level at 15-15 at quarter time, the Thunder took control through the middle stages before closing out the 27-point win, with Rocci finishing with 16 points and seven assists. 

Less than 18 hours later, Keilor backed it up at home with a commanding 97-52 win over the Hobart Chargers at Keilor Stadium.

The Thunder exploded offensively from the opening tip before blowing the game open with a devastating 32-6 third quarter, as Rocci starred with a triple double of 21 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. 

Across the two wins, Rocci averaged 18.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game, performances that saw her recognised as the NBL1 South Women’s Player of the Week for Round 6.

Speaking post-game, Rocci said the Thunder’s defensive identity was beginning to emerge despite the group still building continuity.

“We still have people in and out and Lara’s (McSpadden) still not here with us, but I think the team we put on the floor every week is going to be competitive,” Rocci said.

“We’ve got such a talented roster, but it’s all going to come down to the defensive end.

“Defence wins championships and wins games. We have all the scoring power, but that’s the brand of basketball we definitely want to play.”

Keilor’s defensive pressure was a major feature across both wins, holding Frankston to 57 points before limiting Hobart to just six points in the third quarter on Sunday.

Rocci said setting the tone defensively had become a personal leadership focus.

“I’ve always been that defensive player that puts defensive pressure on the floor and probably annoys my opponent,” she said.

“If I can lead that and be physical, then that sets the standard for the game.”

The performances capped an emotional fortnight for Rocci following her stint with Toronto Tempo training camp under Opals coach Sandy Brondello. 

While the WNBA opportunity ended earlier this month, Rocci said the experience provided perspective that she hopes to carry into the next stage of her career.

“Little me would be proud,” she said.

“It was an eye-opening experience and not many people get to experience a training camp in the WNBA.

“The biggest lesson I learned is that every day you grow as a player and no matter what, you always put your best foot forward.

“At the end of the day, I just grew so much as a player and saw so much more of the game of basketball.

“I think it’s brought a lot of leadership back here to Keilor and hopefully going forward into the WNBL as well.”

With consecutive statement wins, a deep roster beginning to click and Rocci returning with renewed confidence, Keilor’s Round 6 sweep may prove an early sign of what the Thunder are capable of across the remainder of the NBL1 South 2026 season.