Forestville Eagles Vs Sturt Sabres

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 5 JULY | WAYVILLE
OFFICIALS: R Rochford & J Cresp

Forestville (7-6) v Sturt (10-3)

The Sabres can take another step towards a double chance if they can overcome the Eagles at Wayville.

With the Rockets up against Norwood, there is a strong possibility of the Sabres moving into outright second position with a victory this round. The Eagles can ill-afford a loss, as they would be equal on wins with either West or Woodville, and under intense pressure to sneak into the finals.

Last time they met, Natalie Novosel had 26 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Sabres over the Eagles 69-63. Jess Fergus scored 31 for the Eagles, while Samantha Defrancesco had 19 points and 11 rebounds.

The Sabres have been tremendous defensively all season. They held the Eagles under 31 per cent shooting last time, but will have to deal with the size of Carla Borrego (29 points, 21 rebounds last week) this time. Having beaten the other top four sides within the last month, there is no reason why they should not have plenty of confidence to get the job done.

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 5 JULY | WAYVILLE
OFFICIALS: V Devlin & A Filmer

Forestville (7-6) v Sturt (8-5)

The Sabres can all but seal a finals berth, and put the Eagles’ finals chances in jeopardy, if they can come away with a crucial victory in the Match of the Round.

The Eagles have looked a much different team in the past few games, knocking Centrals, then Woodville and finally West out of their share of first place. That said, a loss here and they will be effectively two games out of the five with only a month to go.

The Sabres have likewise won three straight and consequently risen to fourth place, and with matches against the Warriors and Bearcats still to come, top three is within their grasp. However, a loss would have them on the same number of wins as the Eagles, while a Centrals win would make it a three way tie for fourth place.

Last time they met, the Sabres just got home 80-77. Hamish Burns, Tim Klaosen and Dexter Moore provided 55 of the Sabres’ points, while Neil Mottram carried the Jake Rios-less Eagles with 24 points and 10 rebounds.

With so much at stake, it goes without saying that neither team can afford to give away anything easy.

 

Woodville Warriors Vs West Adelaide Bearcats

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 5 JULY | ST CLAIR
OFFICIALS: M Pepicelli & A Newman 

Woodville (6-7) v West (6-7)

In the Match of the Round, the Warriors and Bearcats will be fighting to keep their finals hopes alive when they face off for the second time this season.

With both teams just one game below fifth ranked Forestville, the margin of victory could be important. The Warriors currently hold the split against the Bearcats, having beaten the Bearcats by 10 the last time they met.

The Warriors lost their series 0-2 against the Eagles, whereas the Bearcats are tied 1-1 with Forestville. The Bearcats held off the Eagles 70-65 last week, meaning there is zero point differential in their tie, as the Eagles won the earlier clash 62-57.

Anna Carbo did not play the last time these teams met. She will be someone the Warriors have to watch, after scoring 28 last round.

Warrior Katherine Perkas has been a Bearcat-killer in recent times, although teammate Carmen Reynolds (29 points, 11 rebounds) overshadowed her a little last time. Perkas scored 24, but fouled out in under 21 minutes of court time.

The Warriors have turned the tables on the Bearcats of late, but their inability to finish off games could leave the door open for a Bearcat victory.

 

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 5 JULY | ST CLAIR
OFFICIALS: M Dyson & N Ireland

Woodville (9-4) v West (9-4)

The Warriors and Bearcats will be battling to virtually seal a double chance when they meet at St Clair this week.

While the winner can look fondly towards the post-season, the pressure will mount on the loser, with their finals spot possibly a rival’s for the taking.

Both sides have lost to Forestville in the past fortnight, which means they have not only given up their share of top spot, but given hope to Sturt, Forestville, Centrals, Southern and - to a lesser extent - South of leapfrogging them by season’s end. There is just three games between second and seventh, and although there are only five rounds remaining, Forestville and Centrals have shown how quickly things can change in as few as three weeks.

Last time they met, the Warriors could not overcome the absence of key players Darren Ng and Steve Pilkington, falling to the Bearcats by 10 points. The Warriors gained 15 points and 9 rebounds from Luke Stanbridge, and a further 14 and 11 from Alexander Starling, but could not combat Bearcat Jason Dawson (26 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists).

The Bearcats have won their last five against the Warriors, so the home team has plenty to work on if they are to avoid the pressure of a finals chase.

 

South Adelaide Panthers Vs Southern Tigers

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 5 JULY | MARION
OFFICIALS: P Welbourn & James Brown 

South (9-4) v Southern (3-10)

The Panthers will be hoping to get a win to stay in touch with the top three when they welcome the Tigers to Marion.

At the very least, a victory should guarantee the Panthers a home Elimination Final, should they miss out on a double chance. They currently sit two games ahead of fifth placed Forestville, and three in front of West and Woodville.

The Panthers fell by just two points to Sturt in Round 13, while the Tigers were blitzed to the tune of 58 points by the Rockets.

Last time they met, the Panthers held off a late rally from the Tigers to triumph 67-60. Janae Howard scored 27 for the Panthers, with Jessica Mahony adding 12 assists, 10 points and 7 rebounds. Denelle Fawcett and Jade Barber scored 14 apiece for the Tigers.

The Tigers have struggled of late and a victory would certainly go against their recent run of form.

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 5 JULY | MARION
OFFICIALS: B Northcote & J Grigoul

South (5-8) v Southern (6-7)

After ending a 16 game losing streak against North Adelaide, the Tigers have the chance to get back to .500 and stay in touch with the top five when they visit the Panthers.

A loss would not guarantee another season without a finals appearance for the Tigers, but it would certainly put them on the brink of missing out again.

It is a different story for the Panthers, who have lost three straight and are a game further back from the Tigers. A fourth consecutive defeat could see them three games out the finals with only a month to play, effectively ending their season.

Last time they met, the Panthers got off to a 30-9 start and held off the undermanned Tigers for an 86-65 victory. Shane Boal and Bradley Reid combined for just over half of the Panthers’ score, while Codey Ellison scored 15 points, 11 rebounds and 7 steals for the Tigers.

Who wants it more? Things could get intense here.

 

North Adelaide Rockets Vs Norwood Flames

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 5 JULY | HILLCREST
OFFICIALS: I Domeika & A Just

North (10-3) v Norwood (12-1)

The Flames can close within one game of clinching a fourth successive Minor Premiership if they can beat the Rockets this week.

A win for the Flames would mean they'd have to lose all four of their remaining games, coupled with the Rockets winning all theirs, for them to avoid a week off in the first round of the postseason. Contrastingly, if the Rockets can win by at least eight points, they will steal the tie-breaker advantage, and be within one game of the Flames.

While the Flames scored an impressive 111 points in Round 13, the Rockets produced the biggest score of the year with 121 at Morphett Vale.

Last time they met, the Flames were victorious 74-67. Amy Lewis (19 points, 7 rebounds) and Jess Foley (14 points, 6 assists) were prominent for the Flames, while Shannon McKay (18 points, 4-7 3PFG) and Jo Hill (17 points, 4 rebounds) were instrumental for the Rockets.

The Rockets have lost their last two at home, while the Flames are unbeaten away. With five straight wins in the series, statistics point the way of the ladder leaders.

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 5 JULY | HILLCREST
OFFICIALS: N Durant & N Frost 

North (3-10) v Norwood (10-3)

It may have been a dark season for the Rockets, but at least they can claim the honour of being the only side to defeat the Flames in their last 11 games.

This week, the Flames can ensure it is “Sweep-less in Norwood” when they visit the Rockets.

In Round 5, the Rockets caused the Flames’ biggest loss of the season with an upset 83-76 triumph at MARS. Flame Matthew Lycett had 23 points and 12 rebounds against his former club, while Daniel Goodluck led the Rockets with 20 points and 5 assists.

The Flames produced 30-plus point turnarounds against Sturt and Southern, after losing to those clubs in Rounds 1 and 2 respectively. Therefore, they have little to fear against a side that has lost its last five clashes.

 

Eastern Mavericks Vs Central Districts Lions

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 5 JULY | ADELAIDE HILLS
OFFICIALS: A Gillings & N Passey

Eastern (2-11) v Centrals (0-13)

After producing their best performance of the season, the Lions will have one of their best chances to get a win this season when they visit the Mavericks.

Despite losing to Woodville by 53 points earlier in the year, the Lions took the Warriors to within three points last week – their first single digit encounter of the season. The Mavericks’ 74-111 loss to Norwood also illustrates improvement, having lost by an additional 20 points in Round 4.

Last time they met, the Mavericks gave a steady four quarter effort and defeated the Lions 86-52. The combination of Amanda McDermott (22 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists), Shannon Tarran (19 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists) and Emma Hooley (18 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists) proved too much for the Lions to handle. Samantha Saunders was the Lions’ top scorer with 13 points.

After the Lions’ great effort in the last round, the stronger Mavericks will have no excuse for being caught off guard.

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 5 JULY | ADELAIDE HILLS
OFFICIALS: M Frost & D Miller

Eastern (1-12) v Centrals (7-6)

Everything has come unstuck for the Lions since sitting equal top three weeks ago, meaning they suddenly need a win against Eastern just to keep their finals hope alive.

After winning six games straight between Round 5 and Round 10 and looking a certainty for a second straight post-season appearance, the Lions are now tied with Forestville for fifth place. They do hold the split with the Eagles, but with Sturt just a game higher in fourth, and Southern only a game behind in seventh, every fixture is vital the remainder of the way.

The Mavericks went down 65-87 to Norwood last week, making it seven straight defeats.

April 12 proved to be the night the Lions kick-started their season. At half-time, the Lions trailed the Mavericks by nine points, but then produced a scintillating second half, en route to a 97-76 victory.  Christopher Clausen and Matthew Atkins combined for 47 points for the Lions, while Custis Scipio scored 20 for the Mavericks.

The Lions have more to play for and this should give them a motivational edge.