Take a look back at how the teams fared in 2016 as we prepare for season 2017 which tips off on April 21 in Perth.

Completing a dominant season, the Be Active Western Stars won the 2016 Championship with a sweep of the finals weekend, defeating the Sydney Metro Blues in the Semi-Final before following up against them in the Grand Final two days later with a 14-point victory.

Amber Merritt and Chihiro Kitada proved unstoppable for most of the year, with Merritt named the 4-point MVP and they will both be back to defend their crown this year.

The Blues were one of the deeper teams in the league in 2016 with Kylie Gauci taking out the 2-point MVP while Bridie Kean joined her in the All-Star Five.

They will return this year alongside Georgia Munro-Cook and Jessica Pellow who combined for 27 points off the bench in the 2016 Preliminary Final.

The Sydney Uni Flames were able to overcome the disappointment of a loss in that Preliminary Final to claim the bronze medal against the Kilsyth Cobras the next day.

They were led by the inimitable Sarah Stewart who, in combination with the 3-point MVP award, was named the 2016 overall league MVP and she will be joined by the up and coming Annabelle Lindsay who starred with a double-double in last year’s bronze medal game.

The Kilsyth Cobras and Minecraft Qld Comets will be keen to bounce back after missing out on the podium in 2016 and quickly return to their form of 2015 which saw the sides finish first and second respectively.

Their run to the playoffs will be made tougher by the arrival of a new team this year though in the Red Dust Lady Heelers who will be coached by five-time Paralympian Brad Ness.

Keep an eye out on the WNWBL website and social media channels in the coming days for previews on all five teams while the full schedule for the 2017 season can be found here.