The Opals are FIBA Asia Cup champions after overcoming a tough Japan in an all-time classic gold-medal match.
Australia led at every break before Japan went on an 11-0 run in the final term at China's Shenzhen Sports Centre, on a day a typhoon warning hit the city, and despite levelling the scores twice couldn't hit the front as the composed Opals won, 88-79, achieving their best-ever result at the tournament.
Their previous highest finish was silver in 2017 followed by a trio of bronze medals from 2019 to 2023.
But there was more reason to celebrate, victory has qualified Australia for next year's FIBA World Cup in Germany.
The Opals campaign was flawless. Undefeated across five games, there were serious runs from Japan, twice, and Korea, in Saturday night's semi-final, but Australia answered each and every one.
And they did it without some of their biggest names with Head Coach Sandy Brondello and Paris Olympians Steph Talbot, Ezi Magbegor, Alanna Smith, Sami Whitcomb and Jade Melbourne all away in the WNBA.
It was Miss Asia Cup Ally Wilson who stood up and delivered with a 13-point final quarter as Japan made its charge.
She's a two-time Asia Cup MVP in the 3x3 format and on Opals debut was a game winner despite playing her first game of the tournament the previous night. Knee swelling kept her out of the pool games.
Tournament MVP, and the competition's most efficient player, Alex Fowler confirmed her status as a star. Not rising or future but present.
She earned a start on Opals debut and made an impact at both ends of the floor all week displaying her athleticism, class, IQ and work ethic.
She shot exactly 11 points in Australia's first four games but surpassed that to reach 15 points in addition to 6 boards and 2 assists in the gold-medal game.
Fowler also earned All-Star Five honours alongside Steph Reid (who averaged 10.8 points, a tournament-high 8.3 assists and 1.5 rebounds)
Reid and 19-year-old Japanese sensation Kokoro Tanaka, also an All-Star, produced a terrific battle on Tuesday night in the group stage and this match-up on the biggest stage was not only defining but purely entertaining.
After taking her country on her back to victory over China the night before, Tanaka's sensational shooting spilled into the first half with 19 points as she paced her country.
Australia kept Tanaka scoreless in the third term then limited her to a further two points for the game while Reid, like she has all Asia Cup, controlled the tempo, found her teammates but also made her own big baskets. Her 13 points featured three timely triples.
FABULOUS FOWL-HER
Townsville export Alex Fowler was at college in the US when the Opals claimed bronze at the last Asia Cup in Sydney two years ago.
This time round, on debut she was crowned tournament MVP for a consistent campaign with a capital C.
Despite an impressive WNBL season with the Townsville Fire, Fowler missed selection for a national camp in April but when injuries mounted she boarded a red-eye flight from Perth, where she was playing NBL1, to make the last day and a half of preparation.
From then, she was an obvious choice to make the Asia Cup team and her reputation and the body of work she's building was recognised with a place in the starting five.
Fowler, who turns 24 on Monday, has class and composure, is a proven finisher and brings so much versatility defensively.
With Australia punching their ticket to Germany for next year's World Cup, Fowler is well on the way to being on that plane.
THE X-FACTOR
With just 10 minutes of court time to her name, Ally Wilson loomed as a wildcard for the Opals in just her second game of the tournament.
After overcoming a knee niggle, the 3x3 Paris Olympian was the ultimate spark of the bench. She was given key match-ups, namely Tanaka, where she used her length to try and combat the young gun, then made critical baskets to fend off Japan down the stretch.
After all she is an Asia Cup specialist, having won the title once and earned the MVP crown twice in the 3x3 format of the competition. An already great, natural skill set has only grown and improved through representing the Gangurrus extensively around the world and those skills and experience shone through on medal day.
DEPTH CHART
For the first time in years, there is genuine depth within the Opals program.
Just 2 Paris Olympians (Cayla George, Isobel Borlase) played in the Asia Cup.
Talbot, Magbegor, Smith, Whitcomb, Melbourne and Bec Allen have all been playing in the US. Lauren Jackson and Tess Madgen have retired with Marianna Tolo and Kristy Wallace taking a break and Amy Atwell recovering from surgery.
Maddy Rocci was a late Asia Cup withdrawal through injury.
This year's No.6 WNBA draft selection Georgia Amoore is rehabbing an ACL.
Anneli Maley, Shyla Heal, who both played at the 2023 Asia Cup, and Shaniece Swain weren't selected.
Six players made their official Opals debuts in China and showed they are all capable at the level.
With the talent-laden Gems, Australia's under-19 team, reaching the World Cup podium it will only be a matter of time before the next gen begin to filter into the national program as the Opals eye a World Cup next year and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.