Round 7 Previews

Eastern Mavericks Vs South Adelaide Panthers 

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 3 MAY | ADELAIDE HILLS
OFFICIALS: J Brown & N Passey 


A difficult few weeks have followed a splendid start for the South Adelaide Panthers.

To get their season back on track, they will need to overcome the Eastern Mavericks – a side they have struggled against in recent seasons.

The Panthers have not beaten the Mavericks since 2011, when the ladies from the east went winless. Despite the Mavericks’ struggles, they came close to a W on both occasions, meaning the Panthers can ill-afford to take the current CABL ladder for granted.

The Mavericks are coming off a 28 point loss to the Rockets, while the Panthers fell 30 points short of the Flames.

Panthers star Janae Howard has found the going a little tough recently. Following three straight disqualifications, she made just 3-17 shots against Norwood. Her likely matchup is Mavericks’ big Emma Hooley (12 ppg, 11.5 rpg), who saw a season-low 14 minutes of court time against the Rockets.

If the Mavericks can restrict Howard’s production, then they are in with a chance.

 

Eastern Mavericks Vs South Adelaide Panthers 

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 3 MAY | ADELAIDE HILLS
OFFICIALS: V Devlin & A Gillings 


Fresh off their opening W of 2014, the Mavericks will be gazing at back-to-back wins for the first time in three years when they host the South Adelaide Panthers.

The Mavericks’ win over North in Round 6 was their first in that series since July 11, 2009. It was their first triumph at Hillcrest since April 23, 2006.

The x-factor was player-coach Will Smith. Suiting up for just the second time in 2014, Smith scored 17 points in under half a game of action.

In what was a round of drought breakers, the Panthers ensured that one long streak continued. Their four point home loss to Norwood means they are still yet to beat the Flames at Marion since April 22, 2005. Star centre Bradley Reid was held to 2 points and 4 rebounds, playing less than 13 minutes due to foul trouble.

The Panthers and Mavericks have shared the spoils in recent seasons, although the Panthers swept them in 2013.

Given their recent form, the Panthers should be able to bounce back from defeat.

Norwood Flames Vs Forestville Eagles

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 3 MAY | MARS
OFFICIALS: A Just & M Pepicelli 

 

In the Match of the Round, the Forestville Eagles will be endeavouring to prevent a 29thstraight Norwood win when they make the trip to Mars.

The Eagles have made a decent start to the season, slogging out a few wins en route to a 4-2 record. Their lack of an easy ride means they should be battle-hardened for this one.

Only North Adelaide has challenged the Flames, who had a big win over South last week, even though the Panthers had won 80 per cent of their games. Star Jess Foley has had a bigger role the past couple of games, including a 21 pointer against South.

This game will mark former Forestville protégé Georgia Minear’s first game against her old club. She had 2 points and 4 rebounds in 11 minutes last week.

The Eagles shot poorly from two point range in their win over Southern, but made up for it by going 12-33 from downtown. Jade Johnson finished with 31 points, including 1-10 two-pointers and 7-10 threes.

Aside from 2013, the Eagles have been something of a bogey team for the Flames despite their success, setting up an intriguing encounter.
 

Norwood Flames Vs Forestville Eagles

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 3 MAY | MARS
OFFICIALS: I Domeika & R Rochford


Having lost three straight and fallen to eighth on the ladder, there could only be one opponent the Eagles could face, in arguably their most important minor round game in many seasons.


Since Andrew Webber’s dramatic half court shot banked in to win the 2008 title, Norwood and Forestville have struggled to avoid each other when the stakes are at their highest. And with the Flames barely in the five and the Eagles’ season on a turn for the worst, this game is huge for both teams’ finals aspirations.

Despite the best efforts of Trent Fildes and Jake Rios, the Eagles have found it tough to overcome the absence of 2013 regular season star Adam Doyle and Grand Final MVP Adam Gibson. Meanwhile, the return of defensive ace Todd Matthews and rising star Matthew Lycett have had opposing implications for the Flames. The Eagles outscored the Flames by 69 points in two meetings last season, but with each side’s personnel so different, this statistic is rendered irrelevant.

Although the Flames have been showing signs of being the stronger team, the Eagles have defied the odds many times in recent years, and cannot be written off.

 

Southern Tigers Vs Woodvile Warriors

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 3 MAY | MORPHETT VALE

OFFICIALS: M Dyson & B Shepard 

The Tigers and Warriors will be fighting for a win to keep pace with the top five when they meet at Morphett Vale.

These teams sit sixth and eighth respectively, two games behind the latter three teams in the top five. For the winner, a chance at finals is well and truly alive. Although a loss will by no means end the loser’s season, there will be a lot of catching up to do, with much less margin for error.

The Tigers are coming off a 69-82 loss to the Eagles, a game where they started disappointingly, but won the second half. They had 13 more rebounds than their opponents, but turned the ball over an extra 11 times. Kelsie Rutland scored 18 points from beyond the arc, thanks to 6-14 3FG, finishing with 20 points in total.

The Warriors were the reverse of the Tigers, starting well but falling away in the last two periods. Carmen Reynolds and Katherine Perkas continued their good form with a combined 39 points and 19 rebounds, although they also registered 11 turnovers between them.

The Warriors had been playing well up until the second half of Round 6, and if they get back to their best, they will be difficult to shut down.
 

Southern Tigers Vs Woodvile Warriors

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 3 MAY | MORPHETT VALE
OFFICIALS: B Northcote & J Cresp


Last season, the Warriors fought off a long postseason drought by making it to the Preliminary Final.

This season, the Tigers have started 4-2 and are on track for a similar fate.

This week, the rising club of 2013 visits its possible successor, in the Match of the Round.
 The Tigers had a monumental task ahead of them last week, facing the three time reigning premiers Forestville, without their two top scorers (Samuel McDaniel and Samuel Johns), and having lost back-to-back games.

However, the Tigers finished with what could turn out to be a season defining victory, knocking off the Eagles by a point. It was their first win over the Eagles since April 5, 2008, and their first at Wayville in more than a decade.

The Warriors are in strong form, having thrashed Sturt 101-76 points last week. Darren Ng bagged 31 points against his former club, in what was his best game this season.

The Warriors will like their chances of a win if the Tigers are without McDaniel and Johns once more, although they cannot afford to underestimate their opponents, no matter who suits up.

 

Sturts Sabres Vs West Adelaide Bearcats

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 3 MAY | PASADENA
OFFICIALS: J Grigoul & M McLoughlin


The Sabres will be playing for a fourth straight win when they host the West Adelaide Bearcats.


Since Natalie Novosel arrived, the Sabres are unbeaten, overcoming some early season woes to establish themselves as one of the competition’s best teams. Novosel is averaging 22 ppg and 9.7 rpg in three appearances.

The Bearcats are sitting in seventh position on the ladder, following their victory over the Lions last week. They had five double digit scorers, led by Kate Shierlaw’s 21 points and Trudy Holland’s double-double.

The Sabres swept the Bearcats last season, holding them under 50 points on both occasions.

The Bearcats have been competitive on a regular basis this year, but need to find a way to limit Novosel if they are to cause an upset.

 

Sturts Sabres Vs West Adelaide Bearcats

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 3 MAY | PASADENA
OFFICIALS: N Wieland & M Frost 


The West Adelaide Bearcats will be guaranteed less wins than last season if they lose to the Sturt Sabres on Saturday.

The Bearcats are unbeaten away thus far, but have dropped two of their four home games. This statistic is remarkable given their dominance at Port Adelaide in 2013, where aside from a loss to Southern, no opponent came within single figures of them.

The Sabres started the year in hot form, but have looked a little vulnerable the past few games, illustrated by unconvincing losses to South and Woodville.

Jason Dawson (22.6 ppg, 4.6 apg) has been dominating the Bearcat offence, while Blake Truslove (14.5 rpg, 13.2 ppg) has four double-doubles and barely missed out the other two games.

Dexter Moore (19.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg) has been leading the Sabres’ offence, with Tim Klaosen putting up 18.3 ppg and 8.3rpg in his four outings. Hamish Burns (14.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg) is having a career year.

The Bearcats may not have lost a road game yet, but the Sabres are unblemished at home, meaning something has got to give.

 

Central District Lions Vs North Adelaide Rockets

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 3 MAY | STARPLEX
OFFICIALS: N Frost & L Sorensen 

 

With only one game separating second and fifth, the Rockets can ill-afford to decay in form when they make the trip to Gawler to face the Lions.

The Rockets have made a terrific start to the season, winning five times and suffering a sole loss to Norwood by seven points. Shannon McKay (12 ppg, 4 apg) has been a bigger part of the offence this season, meaning there is less reliance on Jo Hill (17.8 ppg, 8.7 apg) and Jamie-Lee Peris (12.3 ppg, 11.3 rpg).

The Lions have started off 0-6. They challenged West in the second and fourth quarters last week, but were easily accounted for in the first and third. The 51-75 loss took the gloss off a career night for Aimee Herriman, who scored 19 points off 15 shots.

The Rockets won both matches against the Lions last season and are likely to do so again this week.       
 
 
Central District Lions Vs North Adelaide Rockets
MEN 8:30 PM | SATURDAY 3 MAY | STARPLEX
OFFICIALS: N Ireland & H Starkey


In a rematch of the 2013 Elimination Final, the Lions will be hoping to continue their turnaround from the past three halves, while the Rockets will be desperate to save their season.


It was only two games ago that the Lions were trailing a winless Mavericks team by nine at half-time. However, after looking more like the Semi Finalists of 2013 in the second half, they withstood a first half challenge from West before putting them away 90-78. The Lions have rebuilt their season and are now back to .500.

As it turned out, the Mavericks did not have to wait much longer for that maiden win, as the Rockets succumbed to them last week. The Rockets looked to be back on track after two straight wins, but after losing to a team they are used to beating, they now need to cause an upset to keep pace with the top five.

The battle between big men Pero Vasilijevic (13.2 ppg, 9 rpg) and Christopher Clausen (20 ppg, 8 rpg) could hold the key to deciding a victor.

With the Lions seemingly able to rise a level or more when they want to, the Rockets will have a tough time staying in the contest for 40 minutes. 

 




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