Week 6 Men's SBL Preview

TEN games spread over four days make up an enticing Anzac Round of Men's SBL action and it all gets underway with the league-leading Cockburn Cougars taking on the defending champion Joondalup Wolves on Friday night.

The Lapa Brazilian BBQ Restaurant Cockburn Cougars have made a tremendous start to the season winning six of seven matches and that one defeat saw them blow a 23-point lead at home to the Stirling Senators to lose a thriller by two points at home back in Week 3.

They have looked good in wins over the Redbacks, Eastern Suns, Flames, Tigers, Buccaneers and Slammers with Gavin Field receiving plenty of support from second-year import Najee Lane, first-year big man Marcus Goode and the experienced Sheldon McIntyre, Daniel Thomas, Rhett Della and a deep roster.

But now is the biggest challenge they have come up against yet in the form of the defending champion Merriwa Tavern & Bistro City of Joondalup Wolves on Friday night at Joondalup Basketball Stadium.

Coming off winning last year's title after a dominant season, the Wolfpack have won four of their five games to start 2016 setting up a clash on Friday between the only two teams in the SBL to have lost just once to date.

Field is looking forward to the challenge of taking on the Wolves with both teams just about at full strength.

"We play the Wolves this Friday in a massive game. We have actually had a pretty good last couple of years against them beating them twice at home but up there at their place it's a bit tougher so that makes it a little bit different," Field said in his SBL Player Column this week.

"It looks like we could actually have our full squad for the first time this year as well and I'm pretty sure they are close to full strength so it should be a good battle. It's about doing all the little things right and hopefully we can get over the line."

It's not the only crucial game on Friday night to open Week 6 with the Mandurah Magic (1-5) also playing the Perry Lakes Hawks (3-3) at Mike Barnett Sports Complex.

Then on Saturday night, the S & K Electrical Contracting Geraldton Buccaneers (4-3) take on the Bethanie Stirling Senators (5-2) and the Vorian Agency East Perth Eagles (1-5) host the Print Sync South West Slammers (3-3).

The Lakeside Lightning (3-3) also take on the Silver Lake Resources Goldfields Giants (5-2) at Lakeside Recreation Centre.

Lightning coach Sam Oatman is looking for his team to take up the challenge against a Goldfields team chock full of talent led by imports Jacob Holmen and Kenny Manigault.

But with the reigning Player of the Week Daniel Alexander along with TJ Hallice, Corey Martin and Hayden Bell among his own players in good form, Oatman is confident of Lakeside getting its fourth win of the season.

"Like every team in this league, the Giants are a team we have a ton of respect for. At 5-2 they’re one of the teams we’re currently chasing in the standings, so we need to be prepared to make the most of our opportunity," Oatman said.

"We know they’re well-coached and have a number of quality players, including two of the top Imports in the league. However, our primary focus is on our own consistency. We’re simply trying to play four solid quarters of basketball."

The weekend's action continues on Sunday with the Perry Lakes Hawks hosting the Goldfields Giants at Bendat Basketball Centre and the Mandurah Magic taking on the Nags Head Tavern Rockingham Flames (4-3) at Mike Barnett Sports Complex – the home floor of both in 2016.

And on Anzac Day, the SBL action will see the Goodlife Homes Willetton Tigers play the Kalamunda Eastern Suns at Willetton Basketball Stadium and the Texture WA Perth Redbacks (2-4) taking on the East Perth Eagles at Belmont Oasis.

Then finally, the Cockburn Cougars will host the Lakeside Lightning at Wally Hagan Stadium.

The Cougars will be coming off their clash with the Wolves on Friday and Field actually enjoys having the two games on the weekend spread out across the four days.

"It is strange having that schedule in the SBL but I've had that experience in college of having games three or four days apart so for me personally it's not too bad," Field added.

"But we have had to change things up a little like having a Shootaround on Sunday just to get refreshed. This week our focus is all on Joondalup and then we'll meet up on Sunday to go through what Lakeside do and get us all on the same page going into Monday's game."

Meanwhile, Lightning coach Oatman is looking forward to battling a team that could still be sitting atop the standings come Monday afternoon.

"Playing a Monday afternoon game will be a little strange, but it’s another great opportunity for us. It’s always tough to win on the road," Oatman said.

"Cockburn is off to a hot start, so we know we’re going to have to play really well. They have a really solid team, but again our focus is on us. Each game is an opportunity for us to grow."

WEEK 6 MEN'S SBL FIXTURES
FRIDAY
Merriwa Tavern & Bistro City of Joondalup Wolves v Lapa Brazilian BBQ Restaurant Cockburn Cougars, Joondalup Basketball Stadium 8.30pm
Mandurah Magic v Perry Lakes Hawks, Mike Barnett Sports Complex 8.30pm

SATURDAY
Lakeside Lightning v Silver Lake Resources Goldfields Giants, Lakeside Recreation Centre 7.30pm
S & K Electrical Contracting Geraldton Buccaneers v Bethanie Stirling Senators, Active West Stadium 7.30pm
Vorian Agency East Perth Eagles v Print Sync South West Slammers, Morley Sport and Recreation Centre 8pm

SUNDAY
Perry Lakes Hawks v Silver Lake Resources Goldfields Giants, Bendat Basketball Centre 12pm
Mandurah Magic v Nags Head Tavern Rockingham Flames, Mike Barnett Sports Complex 8pm

MONDAY
Goodlife Homes Willetton Tigers v Kalamunda Eastern Suns, Willetton Basketball Stadium 3pm
Texture WA Perth Redbacks v Vorian Agency East Perth Eagles, Belmont Oasis Leisure Centre 3pm
Lapa Brazilian BBQ Restaurant Cockburn Cougars v Lakeside Lightning, Wally Hagan Stadium 3pm

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Mick Cronin




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