Puoch Sisters Set for WNBL Season Opening Showdown

From Dandenong to the WNBL stage, Nyadiew and Manuela Puoch will once again share the same court, only this time on opposite sides, when the Canberra Capitals face the Southside Flyers in Saturday’s WNBL season opener at John Cain Arena.

The Puoch family’s ties to Dandenong run deep. Nyadiew, Manuela and their younger brother Puoch Puoch all came through the Rangers junior program, a pathway that has shaped their rise through NBL1 South and into the national spotlight.

Nyadiew and Manuela returned to represent their junior club in NBL1 South last season, delivering standout 2025 campaigns that highlighted just how far they have come. Nyadiew averaged 20.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game, while Manuela added 14.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists across an impressive second season.

Manuela capped off her breakout year by winning silver at the 2025 FIBA Under 19 Women’s World Cup, following in her sister’s footsteps after Nyadiew also claimed silver at the same event in 2022.

A former NBL1 South Youth Player of the Year in 2023, Nyadiew added another stellar chapter in 2025, earning All Second Team honours and continuing to build on a resume that includes selection 12th overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream.

“It’s pretty crazy when we think about it,” Nyadiew told basketball.com.au. “We just started playing basketball as kids, and now we’re both doing it professionally. I’m really proud of what she’s done.”

Nyadiew said playing alongside her sister again at Dandenong was one of the highlights of her year. “I love playing with Manny, it's so much fun,” she said. “She’s really smart and so switched on, and it’s great to see her improving every game.”

Playing together again for Dandenong has been a reminder of where it all started, and this weekend’s WNBL clash will be a reminder of how far they have come.

“It’s unreal that this is what we do right now,” Nyadiew said. “We used to compete over PlayStation, now it’s in front of thousands of people. It’s something we’ll never take for granted.”