By James Woite

Norwood Flames v West Adelaide Bearcats

Saturday March 15; 6.30pm; Mars

Having just missed out on finals in 2014, the West Adelaide Bearcats have the opportunity to present themselves as a finals worthy side, when they come up against the club that’s won four successive Minor Premierships in the Norwood Flames.

The Bearcats have made some good additions in Ashlea Vordermaier and former Flame Rachel Herrick, while holding on to their best players from last season, including Anna Carbo.

The Flames have reclaimed Rebecca Duke, but lost a range of talented players, including Amy Lewis and Jordan Walker-Roberts.

The Flames swept the Bearcats last season, but this appears the Bearcats’ best chance to rally the Flames for a few seasons.

 

 

Sturt Sabres v Central District Lions

Saturday March 15; 6.30pm; Pasadena

The Sturt Sabres will want to put their 2014 Grand Final heartbreak behind them and notch up their first win of their new campaign when they host the Central District Lions.

The Sabres have acquired Phoebe Custance from Norwood, but lost a lot of their key players from last season, not limited to Natalie Novosel and Lucy Spalding.

The Lions did not make much of a roar in the offseason, but lost quality servant Brianna Wedding.

The Sabres did not have either Novosel nor the sidelined Angela Marino when they thrashed the Lions early last season, so should have no trouble taking care of business against the northernmost members of the cat species.

 

Woodville Warriors v South Adelaide Panthers

Saturday March 14; 6.30pm; St Clair

A Janae Howard jumper and a fourth quarter fadeout prevented victories for the Warriors against the Panthers last season, but they will have another go at their southerly rivals in Round 1 this week.

The Panthers will be without Howard this year, but other than that, they have rather the same team that made it the Semi Final stage of 2014.

Carmen Reynolds is a major loss for the Warriors, but they have a new import this time in Callan Taylor.

A win for the Warriors would go a long way to finally achieving a finals spot come the end of the season.

 

Forestville Eagles v Southern Tigers

Saturday March 14; 6.30pm; Wayville

Tara Robinson and Hannah Fisher will play their first games for their new club against their previous one, the Forestville Eagles, in Round 1.

The former Eagle sisters are the biggest named player signings for the Tigers, who will be without their best statistical performer from last season in Shayde Quintrell.

The Eagles, who also lost Captain Jess Fergus, have filled their roster with rookies Hannah Lehman, Kelsey Brett and Anastasia Falkenberg.

With the Eagles in rebuilding phase, the Tigers have a genuine chance of avenging last season’s sweep.

 

 

South Adelaide Panthers v Norwood Flames

Sunday March 15; 1.15pm; Adelaide Arena

The South Adelaide Panthers and Norwood Flames will go head-to-head in the Match of the Round, and the opening to this year’s neutral feature fixtures.

The Flames’ blowout loss to the Panthers late last season illustrated some vulnerability in their line-up, which was pounced upon by first Sturt and then North in the postseason.

Other than that match, this is a tie the Flames have dominated.

Although the Flames have lost some key players, they are still stacked with talent, and will test how the Panthers stack up without Janae Howard.

 

Eastern Mavericks v North Adelaide Rockets

Sunday March 15; 1.15pm; Adelaide Hills

Reigning Premiers the North Adelaide Rockets could have a tough test on their hands when they visit the Eastern Mavericks for the opener of their championship defence.

The Rockets blew out the Mavericks both times in 2014, but the Mavericks’ offseason additions suggest a rise back up the standings could be in order.

Starlet Jemma Thacker has returned from the United States, Shayde Quintrell has signed from Southern, and Demetria Frank has been imported. With Emma Hooley and Shannon Tarran also on the roster, the Mavericks look a stronger side on paper, both inside and out.

Besides a coaching change, there is almost nothing different about the Rockets’ 2015 side, who have retained the likes of Jo Hill and Jamie-Lee Peris.

A Mavericks win may be a little outside the equation, but expect a tighter game than the recent meetings between these sides.

 

West Adelaide Bearcats v Woodville Warriors

Sunday March 15; 1.45pm; Adelaide Arena

In the final women’s match of Round 1, the West Adelaide Bearcats will be attempting to end a three game losing streak against the Woodville Warriors.

The Warriors’ sweep of their close geographically rivals went a long way towards another year without finals for the Bearcats.

It also caused the Warriors to leapfrog the Bearcats into sixth place come the end of the season.

Katherine Perkas has played her best basketball against the Bearcats, so the red and bluck must quell her domination if they are to get back to winning ways against the green and gold.