Match Previews Written By James Woite

Southern Tigers Women Vs  Central Districts Women
Women 6:30PM / Sat 15 Mar / Location: Morphett Vale (Map)
Officials: M Harris & B Shepard | Written by James Woite

After a couple of years with unprecedented finals campaigns, the Central District Lions women dropped back to last place in 2013. With star Tamika Dukes and a host of role players leaving the club, it appears the Lions are the 2014 version of the 2013 Tigers, who they will face this week.

The Tigers women had a massive cleanout last season, dropping from sixth to eighth as a result. They do have some stability this time, despite losing Stana Zecevic, who was a shining light in 2013. The yellow and black swept the ladies from the far north last season, accounting for two of their five wins. With the changes at Centrals this season, a third straight success appears on the cards.

 

Southern Tigers Men Vs  Central Districts Men
Men 8:15 PM / Sat 15 Mar / Location: Morphett Vale (Map)
Officials: N Weiland & H Starkey

Last time Southern and Centrals Men met at Morphett Vale, Centrals came out winners in a match that proved crucial in the fight for a low finals seed.

Even though it is only Round 1, the result of this game could be a defining factor in the campaigns of two of 2013’s most improved clubs.

Unlike many of their other counterparts, the Tigers and Lions are perhaps better on paper than last season, with each boosting their front court depth (Southern with Paul Carman, Aaron Rice Williams; Centrals with Daniel Carlin and Mitch Mott).

Lions star Kyle Miller had a difficult second half of 2013 after a scintillating first 18 months in the CABL. If he gets back to his hot form, the Tigers will have a difficult task avenging their 0-2 record against the Lions last season.

 

Sturt Sabres Women vs Norwood Flames  Women
Women 6:30 PM / Sat 15 Mar / Location: Pasadena (Map)
Officials: M Frost & N Passey

As if things could get any hotter for the Norwood Flames?!

After an undefeated 2013, the Flames women will take an even better squad on paper into their Round 1 visit to Sturt. They have been boosted by the return of 2012 premiership players Kelsey Ireland and Rachel Herrick, while also securing long-time Eagle Georgia Minear. The retiring Rebecca Duke is a big loss, but they now have even greater depth.

The Sabres were the only women's 2013 finalist not to also reach the postseason in 2012. Unfortunately for the Double Blues, their 2012 double star signing of Hannah Bowley and Molly Lewis will not play for the team this season, the Sabres will also miss promising youngster Aneeka Smith and Coach Marcus Wong. This will be a difficult date for the Double Blues.

 

Sturt Sabres Men vs Norwood Flames Men  
Men 8:15PM / Sat 15 Mar / Location: Pasadena (Map)
Officials: V Devlin & M Pepicelli

Prior to premature retirement, Norwood’s Todd Matthews had won five straight Defensive Player of the Year awards. At Pasadena on Saturday, the star Flame will be back on the court, hoping to lift his beloved club back to the finals, following a disappointing 2013 for the red and the blue.

It was not just the Flames missing the postseason that made 2013 so bizarre – the Sabres, widely renowned as the best club in boys/men’s basketball, did likewise. With star players Sam Daly, Matthew Dougherty and John Marriott not suiting up this season, there is bound to be some growing pains for new coach Brett Maher’s cubs. That said, none of the above trio were household names going into last season, so expect the 36ers great to find someone from somewhere.

The Flames went 0-2 against the Sabres last season, but with Matthews back at the helm, they have a great chance to make a statement in Round 1.

 

West Adelaide Bearcats Women vs Eastern Mavericks Women
Women 6:30 PM / Sat 15 Mar / Location: Port Adelaide (Map)
Officials: A Just & G Haines

2013 Halls Medallist Tess Madgen has dominated the women's league for the last two seasons, despite missing a number games. When Madgen has not been in uniform, the Eastern Mavericks have had a tendency to struggle, and this season, the Mavericks will have to face all 18 games without their star prodigy due to Madgen’s Opals’ commitments.

A further four key players (Madison Bycroft, Jemma Thacker, Tenille Searl and Alex Wilson) are on the exit list, leaving plenty of weight on the shoulders of promising youngster Sharron Tarran and veteran Amanda McDermott.

In contrast, the Bearcats women have received a major boost with the return of star Trudy Holland, while also signing Stana Zecevic, who played well for the Tigers last season. Their one major loss is Ashlea Vordermaier.

 

West Adelaide Bearcats Men vs Eastern Mavericks Men
 Men 8:15 PM / Sat 15 Mar / Location: Port Adelaide (Map)
Officials: N Ireland & N Frost

Following a coaching change and the loss of two stars, there will be a fresh presence amongst the Bearcats Men when they hit the court for the first time in 2014, against the Eastern Mavericks.

For last season’s Minor Premiers and Grand Final losers, success in 2014 will largely be dependant upon the role players stepping up, with veteran guard Daniel Phillips the only new signing.

The Mavericks, who won just once in 2013, are continuing their youth movement, with the Breheny Brothers departing and several rookies joining (a number from Forestville).

The Bearcats showed last season they could win without their 36er stars Daniel Johnson and Jason Cadee, knocking off premiers Forestville at Wayville (in hindsight, they perhaps surrendered the flag by winning that game, as the Eagles signed Grand Final MVP Adam Gibson days later). Thus, getting a win here should not be too much trouble for the red and black.

  

Woodville Warriors Women vs North Adelaide Rockets Women

Women 6:30 PM / Sat 15 Mar / Location: St. Clair (Map)
Officials: J Cresp & M McLoughlin

After two straight losing Grand Final losses, the North Adelaide Rockets will take a mostly similar  The Warriors have lost key players Jasmine Howe and Jessica Koch, but scorer Ursula Richards has returned.

For the Rockets, the number of Mansfields on team has been cut in half, after there were three in 2012. The Rockets seem well-poised for a run to a third straight Grand Final, while it will be interesting to see whether the Warriors can take their strong run of form into this season, or whether they will fall back.

The Rockets only just managed to get over the Warriors in both games last season, so this could be a close one.

 

Woodville Warriors Men vs North Adelaide Rockets Men

Men 8:15 PM / Sat 15 Mar / Location: St. Clair (Map)
Officials: A Filmer & J Griguol

 In the Match of the Round, the Warriors Men will be hoping the “home team’s curse” is officially over when they face the Rockets at St Clair.

The Warriors’ win in the second half of last season was the first in 11 matches for the home team in this series.

These are two of the more settled teams in the league, with virtually the same rosters as 2013.
Each side made the finals last year; the Warriors for the first time since 2005, while the Rockets featured in their eighth straight campaign.

Neither club made the most of their opportunities – the Warriors were pummelled twice by Forestville, despite winning both games in the regular season, while the Rockets relinquished a huge half-time lead to Centrals, who had next to no finals experience.

2014 could not have come quickly enough for either franchise. Only one can win. On paper the Warriors have a stronger side, but history says the Rockets are a chance of an upset.

 

Forestville Eagles Women vs South Adelaide Panthers Women

Women 6:30 PM / Sat 15 Mar / Location: Wayville (Map)
Officials: B Northcote & J Brown

In the Match of the Round, the South Adelaide Panthers will be hoping their acquisition of former Eagle, Sabre, Lion and Bearcat, Jessica Mahony, can give them the perfect start to 2014 when they visit Forestville.

The Panthers have not played finals since 2009, but with so many clubs losing key players, a signing like Mahony should give them some faith that a rise up the ladder is possible. After all, Mahony led the 2011 Lions to fifth place after they had gone 0-18 in 2010.

The Eagles have lost some key players in Olivia Thompson and Mia Newley, but signed Carla Borrego Williams, a long-time nemesis of premiership favourites Norwood. The Flames may have won the last two titles, but it almost certainly would have been three, if not for Borrego Williams (then Borrego). The Flames went 18-2 in 2011, and 0-2 against teams that featured Borrego.

The Eagles have stronger depth than the Panthers, but it will be interesting to see if the scores are a bit closer than what they have been in recent times in this series.  

 

Forestville Eagles Men vs South Adelaide Panthers Men

Men 8:15 PM / Sat 15 Mar / Location: Wayville (Map)
Officials: I Domeika & R Rochford

Despite no longer having their star Adams in uniform, the Eagles will still have plenty of talent on display against the Panthers in their season-opener at Wayville.

Former Captain Brad Sullivan will return to the nest this season following a year’s absence, while former Panther Kyle Howe-Tipene will mark his maiden Forestville appearance against his former club. 2013 Club MVP and rising star Adam Doyle will ply his trade in the SEABL, and 2013 Grand Final MVP Adam Gibson has not re-signed (as yet).

The Panthers 2014 line-up has a familiar feel to the one that finished ninth in 2013. Douglas Hudson and Jeremy Read have returned, but Jesse Hall, Kieran Hirlam, Matthew Hirlam, and Jamie MacGillivray have left the club.

The Eagles went 2-0 against the Panthers last season and have dominated this series in recent years. It is hard to see the pendulum swinging the other way this time out.