title: 1996 WNBL season
text: # 1996 WNBL season
  
  The 1996 WNBL season was the 16th season of competition since its establishment in 1981. A total of 10 teams contested the league.
  
  ## Regular season
  
  ### Ladder
  
  | | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Won % |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | 1 | Sydney Flames | 18 | 17 | 1 | 94 |
  | 2 | Adelaide Lightning | 18 | 16 | 2 | 89 |
  | 3 | Bulleen Boomers | 18 | 14 | 4 | 78 |
  | 4 | Perth Breakers | 18 | 11 | 7 | 61 |
  | 5 | Brisbane Blazers | 18 | 9 | 9 | 50 |
  | 6 | Dandenong Rangers | 18 | 9 | 9 | 50 |
  | 7 | Melbourne Tigers | 18 | 6 | 12 | 33 |
  | 8 | Canberra Capitals | 18 | 5 | 13 | 28 |
  | 9 | Hobart Islanders | 18 | 2 | 16 | 11 |
  | 10 | Australian Institute of Sport | 18 | 1 | 17 | 6 |
  
  ## Finals
  
  | Elimination final | Elimination final | Elimination final | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Preliminary final | Preliminary final | Preliminary final | Grand final | Grand final | Grand final |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | | | 1 | Sydney Flames | 57 | | | | Sydney Flames | 65 |
  | | | | | Adelaide Lightning | 54 | | | | Adelaide Lightning | Adelaide Lightning | 80 |
  | | | | | | | Adelaide Lightning | Adelaide Lightning | 87 | | | |
  | | | | | | | Perth Breakers | Perth Breakers | 55 | | | |
  | | | | Bulleen Boomers | Bulleen Boomers | 58 | | | | | | |
  | | | | Perth Breakers | Perth Breakers | 75 | | | | | | |
  | 4 | Perth Breakers | 95 | | | | | | | | | |
  | 5 | Brisbane Blazers | 62 | | | | | | | | | |
  
  ### Season Awards
  
  | Award | Winner | Team |
  | - | - | - |
  | Most Valuable Player Award | Rachael Sporn | Adelaide Lightning |
  | Grand Final MVP Award | Michelle Griffiths | Adelaide Lightning |
  | Rookie of the Year Award | Jessica Bibby | Dandenong Rangers |
  | Defensive Player of the Year Award | Tully Bevilaqua | Perth Breakers |
  | Coach of the Year Award | Lori Chizik | Bulleen Boomers |
  | Top Shooter Award | Gina Stevens | Perth Breakers |
  
  ### Statistical leaders
  
  | Category | Player | Team | GP | Totals | Average |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | Points Per Game | Gina Stevens | Perth Breakers | 18 | 375 | 20.8 |
  | Rebounds Per Game | Jenny Whittle | Brisbane Blazers | 17 | 189 | 11.1 |
  | Assists Per Game | Debbie Black | Hobart Islanders | 17 | 83 | 4.9 |
  | Steals Per Game | Debbie Black | Hobart Islanders | 17 | 86 | 5.1 |
  | Blocks per game | Jenny Whittle | Brisbane Blazers | 17 | 70 | 4.1 |
  | Field Goal % | Sally Barney | Brisbane Blazers | 13 | (26/42) | 61.9% |
  | Three-Point Field Goal % | Michele Timms | Sydney Flames | 15 | (48/99) | 48.5% |
  | Free Throw % | Allison Cook | Dandenong Rangers | 18 | (68/74) | 91.9% |
  