By James Woite

 

North Adelaide Rockets (12-9) v Sturt Sabres (12-9)

In the Match of the Round, home court advantage in the Elimination Final will be at stake when the North Adelaide Rockets verse the Sturt Sabres at Hillcrest.

The Rockets and Sabres will meet again next week in the first round of finals, with the venue to be determined by the result of Saturday’s match.

The Rockets are coming off a disappointing weekend with losses to Norwood and Centrals ruining any chance they had of finishing third.

In contrast the Sabres had an excellent weekend, knocking off then-ladder leaders Woodville in overtime before comfortably beating Forestville to secure their spot in the finals.

The Rockets lead the season series 1-0.

 

South Adelaide Panthers (9-12) v Southern Tigers (2-19)

The Panthers and Tigers will conclude their disappointing seasons when they go head-to-head at Marion.

The Panthers only played once on the weekend where they were annihilated by Woodville. After starting 0-5, the Panthers got themselves back into the finals race but nine wins from their last 17 games has proven not nearly enough for them to end their run of bottom five finishes.

The Tigers went 0-2 last weekend with their record slipping to 2-19.

The Panthers lead the season series 1-0.

 

West Adelaide Bearcats (14-7) v Forestville Eagles (10-11)

The Bearcats and Eagles have faced off in many important matches in recent years, but this week’s clash at Port Adelaide will mean little.

The Eagles are certain of a bottom five finish for the first time in more than a decade. Despite a string of big-name signings, they were unable to get the right results last weekend. They managed to beat Centrals but their loss to Sturt the following day ended their finals challenge. A win over the Bearcats would see the Eagles finish sixth.

The Bearcats went 1-1 last weekend, and are now locked into third spot. They will be on the road against either Norwood or Woodville in the first week of the finals.

The Eagles lead the season series 1-0.

 

Woodville Warriors (16-5) v Eastern Mavericks (8-13)

The Warriors can give themselves a chance of finishing as Minor Premiers if they can overcome the Mavericks at St Clair.

A victory for the Warriors would put them on 17 wins. That will be enough for the Minor Premiership if Norwood loses to Centrals. The Warriors entered last weekend in first place but only managed to split their games 1-1.

The Mavericks won their only match last weekend against Southern. The Mavericks can jump to seventh if they upset the Warriors, coupled with a Southern win over South.

The Warriors lead the season series 1-0.

 

Central District Lions (5-16) v Norwood Flames (17-4)

The Flames can seal the Minor Premiership if they can defeat the Lions at Starplex on Saturday.

The Flames had got the right results last weekend. They defeated two finalists in West and North, while Woodville lost to Sturt. As a result the Flames’ quest for the quickest path to the Second Semi Final is now in their own hands.

The Lions beat finals-bound North for the second time this season on Sunday while they also lost to Forestville on Saturday. The Lions will finish ninth.

The Flames lead the season series 1-0.