Eastern Mavericks Vs Southern Tigers

 

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 21 JUNE | ADELAIDE HILLS
OFFICIALS: J Cresp & D Rault

 

Eastern (1-10) v Southern (3-8)

 

The Tigers will be playing for their first win at Adelaide Hill since 2011 when they visit the Mavericks.

 

The Tigers have won their last two overall in this series, including a 73-55 triumph in Round 3. Denelle Fawcett scored 18 points for the Tigers, while Shayde Quintrell and Jade Barber each registered a double-double. Emma Hooley scored 13 for the Tigers, and Shannon Tarran posted 12 points and 12 rebounds.

 

The Mavericks were blown out by Sturt last week. The Tigers suffered a similar fate against Norwood, where they were basically playing junk time after the first quarter, when they trailed 6-28.

 

These teams have combined for just four wins this season, with the Tigers in eighth spot and the Mavericks one off the bottom.

 

A strong start for either team will go a long way to deciding a victor.

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 21 JUNE | ADELAIDE HILLS
OFFICIALS: I Domeika & H Starkey

 

Eastern (1-10) v Southern (4-7) men

 

Now two games outside the five, the Tigers cannot afford another downer when they travel east this week, as they try to get their once-promising season back on track.

 

Since starting 3-0, the Tigers have dropped seven of eight. They suffered a horrid 11-39 third quarter last round in a 67-99 loss to Norwood, making it five consecutive losses.

 

Like the Tigers, the Mavericks are win-less in their past five games, after being defeated by Sturt 78-108 in their most recent game.

 

The Mavericks lost 65-96 to the Tigers last time they met. Curtis Scipio and Isaac Nyembo were shining lights offensively for the Mavericks, scoring 35 points between them. The Tigers produced a great team effort; Todd Davies leading the way with 16 points.

 

It would take at least a 32 point turnaround from Round 3 for the Mavericks to get up. But as the Tigers are not playing anywhere near the level they were at that point, the Mavericks should give themselves every chance of an upset.

North Adelaide Rockets Vs Sturt Sabres

 

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 21 JUNE | HILLCREST
OFFICIALS: N Ireland & D Miller

 

North (9-2) v Sturt (8-3)

 

In the Match of the Round, the Rockets can all but seal a top two finish if they can defeat the Sabres, who are on a four game winning streak.

 

In Round 11, the Rockets bounced back from a disappointing loss to Woodville by thrashing West 76-52. Jo Hill dominated with 22 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists, while Jamie-Lee Peris had 13 points and 8 rebounds.

 

The Sabres, who are unbeaten away, earned their third home win from six attempts with a dominant 29 point win over the Mavericks. Natalie Novosel and Tamara Brine led a balanced attack with 19 and 18 points respectively.

 

Last time they met, Novosel had yet to debut for the Sabres, and the Rockets took advantage of their opponents’ gaping offensive hole with a 71-45 demolition. Hill and Lauren Badenoch combined to score 31 points for the Rockets, while Lucy Spalding battled for 13 points and 12 rebounds.

 

A minimum 27 point turnaround will be a tough ask on the Sabres, but considering they produced a 37 point swing against Norwood, and with Novosel dominating on a weekly basis, they cannot be written off.

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 21 JUNE | HILLCREST
OFFICIALS: N Wieland & A Just

 

North (3-8) v Sturt (6-5)

 

With three games separating the Rockets and Sabres, and only seven matches remaining, the Sabres can just about end the Rockets’ season when they make the trip to Hillcrest this weekend.

 

Virtually eliminating the Rockets would be sweet revenge for the Sabres, after the events of 2013. The Rockets won two close ones over the Sabres last year, which meant they snuck into the fifth seed at the Sabres’ expense.

 

After losing 69-88 in Round 3, the Rockets must beat the Sabres by at least 20 points to snatch the tiebreaker. Daniel Goodluck top scored with 24 points, but the Sabres had more options on the night; Dexter Moore (17 points) heading the charge.

 

Since they last met, these teams have the same win-loss record. With neither side able to produce their best play on a regular basis, anything could happen on the night.

South Adelaide Panthers Vs West Adelaide Bearcats

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 21 JUNE | MARION
OFFICIALS: M Dyson & N Frost

 

South (8-3) v West (5-6)

 

The Panthers can virtually seal their first finals berth since 2009 when they host a Bearcat team fighting them for a playoff spot.

 

The Bearcats must win by at least 12 points to seize the tiebreaker, after the Panthers held them off for a 66-55 victory in Round 3. Janae Howard fouled out on 24 points, while Jessica Mahony added 15 for the Panthers. Hajnal Nagy had a game-high 14 rebounds along with 7 points. Kate Shierlaw scored 14 for the Bearcats, while Trudy Holland had a team-high 11 rebounds to go with her 10 points.

 

The Panthers maintained their quest for a top three finish with a 74-56 road win over Woodville in Round 11. They are only a game back from second spot, and are tied for wins with Sturt, although the Sabres hold the tiebreaker at this stage.

 

The Bearcats were in a tie for fifth prior to the start of last round, but were on the wrong end of a 24 point blowout at home to North. They are now a game behind the fifth ranked Eagles, who hold the tiebreaker.

 

The Bearcats have shown the ability to cause an upset, but the Panthers have regained their best form and will be tough to beat.

 

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 21 JUNE | MARION
OFFICIALS: V Devlin & B Shepherd

 

South (5-6) v West (8-3)

 

Last time the Panthers and Bearcats met, the Panthers produced one of the upsets of the year, which has since catapulted them from wooden spoon fancies to finals contenders.

 

They will need a repeat of that result to stay within one game minimum of the fifth-seeded Sabres.

 

The Bearcats will undoubtedly be confident of reversing their Round 3 defeat. They have not allowed that shock defeat to affect them, winning six of their last eight.

 

Two of the league’s biggest players, Panther Bradley Reid and Bearcat Blake Truslove, could have a large say in deciding a victor. Reid got the better of the duel last time, finishing with 20 points and 14 rebounds, compared to Truslove’s 9/14. Key Bearcat scorer Tristan Braithwaite (13.9 ppg) missed the Round 3 match.
After pushing Woodville in Round 11, the Panthers have little to fear, but they cannot rely on the element of surprise a second time.

 

Norwood Flames Vs Central Districts Lions

 

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 21 JUNE | MARS
OFFICIALS: M Pepicelli & B Northcote

 

Norwood (10-1) v Centrals (0-11)

 

Having bounced back from having their 31 game winning streak ended by Sturt, the Flames have an excellent chance to make it two on the trot when they host the winless Lions.

 

The Flames burst out of the blocks in a 34 point win over Southern last week, acquiring the privilege of sharing the minutes around. In contrast, the Lions had just 20 points to ¾ time in a 33-93 loss to Forestville.

 

Last time they met, it was the most lopsided scoreline of the season, with the Flames winning by 71 points, 105-34. The Flames had many strong performers, with Jessica Good (25 points, 10 rebounds) the pick of the bunch. Aimee Herriman scored 10 for the Lions.

 

The Lions would have to rewrite history to succeed in this fixture.

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 21 JUNE | MARS
OFFICIALS: N Durant & A Gillings

 

Norwood (8-3) v Centrals (7-4)

 

In the Match of the Round, the Lions will be out to end the Flames’ six game winning run, after having their own such streak ended in Round 11.

 

With Kyle Miller absent, the Lions went down to Forestville 74-89, missing the chance to earn an ultra rare sweep of the Eagles. They will now have to fight to avoid being on the wrong end of a sweep, with the Flames leading this series 1-0.
Last time they met, the Flames were coming off consecutive two point losses, and the Lions a 20 point win. However, the Flames seized control with a 34-13 third quarter and finished with a commanding 96-79 victory.

 

Matthew Lycett dominated with 30 points and 10 rebounds, while Andrew Webber added 19 points for the Flames. Miller scored 20 and Christopher Clausen 16 for the Lions.

 

As it stands, the Flames are tied for first with West and Woodville, and the Lions just a game back. A loss for the Lions would not rule out the possibility of them winning a double chance. A Flames victory would almost certainly see them in the top three at the end of this regular season.

 

Beating the Flames away has always proven a near impossible task for the Lions, regardless of personnel.

Woodville Warriors Vs Forestville Eagles

 

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 21 JUNE | ST CLAIR
OFFICIALS: R Rochford & J Grigoul 

 

Woodville (5-6) v Forestville (6-5)

 

The Warriors got to taste the pressure of a finals chase last week, and now must respond in the best possible fashion against the Eagles to keep their dream alive.

 

The Warriors were competitive against the Panthers for three quarters in Round 11, trailing by just six at ¾ time. However, they had more turnovers (five) than made field goals (four) in the fourth, losing the period 11-23 and succumbing to an 18 point defeat. It is now about learning from their mistakes quickly, as they get set to face a veteran Eagles team that has ample experience in high pressure games.

 

The Eagles’ 60 point win over the Lions last round enabled them to leap into outright fifth. Carla Borrego Williams had 17 points and 12 rebounds against the Lions, in just her third game in 2014 for the Eagles.

 

The Eagles, minus Borrego Williams, beat the Warriors, minus Katherine Perkas, 75-73 in Round 3. This means the Warriors need a three point victory to earn the tiebreaker.

 

The addition of Borrego Williams gives the Eagles a different dynamic. How the Warriors deal with her could have a large impact on the verdict of the game.

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 21 JUNE | ST CLAIR
OFFICIALS: A Filmer & M Frost

 

Woodville (8-3) v Forestville (5-6)

 

After the Eagles ended their 2013 season, the Warriors have the chance to hand out a bit of payback this week, with their rivals on the verge of elimination.

 

In Round 11, with Grand Final MVP Adam Gibson and Premiership Captain Brad Haydon in the line-up for the first time this year, the Eagles were able to keep their hopes of a fourth straight flag alive, defeating Centrals by 15 points. That result means the Eagles are still within a game of the top five, with a Grand Final rematch against West and a potential mini final against Sturt to follow this encounter.

 

The Warriors did just enough against South, coming away with a 79-68 win. They are tied with Norwood and West for first, but are 0-1 against both of those sides this season.

 

In Round 3, Alexander Starling’s 26 points and 19 rebounds  were not enough to steer the Warriors to a win, as Eagle Trent Fildes produced a career high 46 points, including 9-10 3FG.

 

With home court advantage and a superior record, the Warriors appear the better side, but the Eagles fought plenty of adversity to claim their three-peat and will be confident of coming through again.