WNBL Preview - Round 18

It’s the final round of the Price Attack Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) for 2005/06 and it all comes down to games this week.

The ‘weekend’ starts early, with three matches being played on Wednesday night, ahead of the Australia Day holiday.

With only Dandenong guaranteed a place in the final four, and no one sure of where they will finish, wins this weekend are vital for all teams.

There have been upsets aplenty in recent weeks, with the top three teams looking a little out of touch, and the finals hopefuls firing.

Tune into ABC-TV this Saturday afternoon for the Game of the Week between the G.E.T. Sydney Uni Flames and the Bulleen Melbourne Boomers. The match will be replayed on ABC2 at 11am on Sunday.

Sydney Uni Flames vs Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)

Wednesday, January 25
Sydney Uni Sports and Aquatic Centre
Tip-off:   7:00pm

Conversely to Bulleen Melbourne, the Flames are the in-form team of season’s end, winning their past seven games.

The team made a pact back in December to win every match until the finals, and so far, they have achieved that goal. They look set to make it eight from eight on Wednesday night, with a match against the winless AIS at the Aquatic Centre.

The AIS were hoping to take one win this season, to get their new coach, Dean Kinsman, on the board in his WNBL career. Despite looking like a team full of future and potential stars, the AIS have not really come close to achieving their dream this season.

The Flames can make the finals should they win this and their match against Bulleen Melbourne this weekend, but they will still be relying on a few other scenarios that are out of their control.

It may come down to points for and against for some teams, so look for Sydney Uni to attempt to mount a big score against the students in this match.

Bulleen Melbourne Boomers vs Dandenong Rangers

Wednesday, January 25
Knox Stadium, Melbourne
Tip-off:   7:30pm

The final local derby between the teams from Melbourne will be played at Knox Stadium to accommodate the expected large crowd.

Dandenong have already won the series this season with two wins over the Boomers in November and December, but the passion never dies between these teams as they battle for supremacy in their home town.

Both teams have lost matches to less fancied opponents in recent weeks, with Bulleen Melbourne being one of the most out of form teams in the League at present.

Fans and observers of the Boomers will be hoping they can lift their performance this weekend, with none wanting to see them drop their final three games (all tough matches) and miss out on the playoffs.

The Rangers have also looked shaky recently, and have lost three of their last four games. They are still holding on to top spot, and are the only team guaranteed a place in the final four. However, they could drop to second spot if they lose both their matches this week.

These matches should never be missed by fans of basketball, or even just fans of the spectacle of sport. It will be another ‘Battle Royale’ on Wednesday night.

MILESTONES: Emily McInerny is just four points away from 1000 in the WNBL (it has taken her 234 games – 4.3 points per game – to get there).

Adelaide Fellas vs Perth Lynx

Wednesday, January 25
Wayville Basketball Stadium, Adelaide
Tip-off:   7:30pm

The Fellas are another of the in-form teams, playing themselves into a position where they have to win their final two matches against the two bottom placed teams to make the finals.

Few doubt they can do it, but Adelaide will not be taking either of their matches this week lightly.

The Lynx defeated Adelaide in Round 4, before the Fellas can back and gave the West Australians a 30-point beating in Round 6 to level the season series.

The Lynx will be hoping to win this match to secure their second series win and win the most games in a season since 2003. They may find that difficult without their star Deanna Smith however. The 20+-point guard injured her ankle in their match against Canberra last weekend and is not a guaranteed starter.

Some may think the Lynx have had another disappointing season, but those watching closely will see a team that is slowly building toward a brighter future, by developing and retaining franchise players who will help them toward the finals in years to come.

Unless they are overcome by the enormity of the moment, Adelaide should win this match by a comfortable double-figure margin.

MILESTONES: Sam Woosnam plays her 100th match for Adelaide.

Sydney Uni Flames vs Bulleen Melbourne Boomers

Friday, January 27
Sydney Uni Sports and Aquatic Centre
Tip-off:   7:30pm

The ABC-TV Game of the Week is a must win for both teams, with Sydney Uni needing an unbeaten run to even have a chance at playoff basketball, and Bulleen Melbourne teetering on the edge of playoff elimination after a shocking run up to the end of the season.

The Boomers have won both matches against the Flames this season, taking the series between the teams with an eight and a 14-point victory.

However, this week’s match could be a different story with the Flames on the up, and Boomers looking less than impressive.

There will be some great matchups in this game, with nine past, present or future Price Attack Opals in action.

Watch Hollie Grima and Natalie Porter under the basket, Katrina Hibbert and Belinda Snell on the perimeter, and Kristen Veal and Deanne Butler at the point.

With a big, loud crowd, and so much on the line, this match will bring the house down and could fall either way.

Adelaide Fellas vs Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)

Friday, January 27
Wayville Basketball Stadium, Adelaide
Tip-off:   7:30pm

The Fellas’ second match at home in three days sees them up against the AIS in what is their last match of the regular season.

The Fellas have defeated the students by 55 and 48 points in their two meetings this season, and are unlikely to go soft on them this weekend. With the finals in their sights, the girls from South Australia have a glint in their eye ...

Canberra Capitals vs Dandenong Rangers

Saturday, January 28
Southern Cross Stadium, Canberra
Tip-off:   7:30pm

Another blockbuster match to finish the season, with two teams who are vying for the title of favourite as we enter the finals playoffs.

Dandenong must be a little more relaxed than their opponents coming into this game, knowing that at worst, they can only fall to second place after this round. However, Canberra have only this match to go – a win securing their place, a loss leaving it up to the performance of other teams and perhaps a countback.

The season series between these teams is currently split at one apiece, with each team winning their home encounter. Will the home court advantage be enough to get Canberra over the line this week? Court availability means this match will be played at the Southern Cross Stadium rather than the AIS Arena, giving fans a closer look at the play, but meaning they will need to get in quick to avoid a sell out.

When the Caps hosted the Rangers at the AIS Arena in Round 6, it was a thrilling finish to an enthralling match, which saw the Canberrans come away with a two-point win. The return match in Dandenong in Round 12 was convincing for the Rangers, a 14-point win.

It will be crowded under the basket in this match, with almost ten metres of height between five players crowding into the key for the two teams. Dandenong’s 190cm Randall and 187cm Hamilton will have their work cut out for them against Whittle (197cm) Jackson (195cm) and Beatty (202cm), but both have shown that they have to game to take it up to their taller opponents.

This game could go either way on the night with both teams needing to find some form after two disappointing weeks.

Townsville Fire vs Bulleen Melbourne Boomers

Saturday, January 28
SeaFM Stadium, Townsville
Tip-off:   8:00pm

Fire fans must be delighted with the way Townsville have finished 2005/06. If only there were a few more games in the season to allow them to get the wins necessary to propel them into the finals!

It may be too late for any post-season play for the Fire this year, but with news that Rohanee Cox and Jennifer Crouse will be returning next year, coach Dave Herbert must be looking forward to next season with glee.

Bulleen Melbourne go into this match at the end of a demanding four days of basketball. It’s their third tough match in four days, and every win, and every point counts.

The Boomers have won both previous encounters against Townsville this season, with a 16-point win in Round 4, and an 11-point win in Round 6.

With fatigue, nerves and Townsville’s home crowd playing a role, Bulleen Melbourne will struggle to overcome the momentum of the Fire, but if they play to their potential should still come away with a win.

Perth Lynx vs Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)

Sunday, January 29
Perry Lakes Stadium, Perth
Tip-off:   2:00pm

The season wraps up with two teams playing for pride on Sunday afternoon at Perry Lakes Stadium in Perth.

Seventh placed Perth host the last-placed AIS in a match that will see Perth wanting to get their fourth win on the board, and the AIS chasing their first.

In their two previous matches (played on consecutive days at the AIS), Perth won the first encounter by only seven points, but then regrouped to take a more convincing 34-point win the day after.

Without Deanna Smith steering the ship for Perth, this may be the student’s best chance of grabbing a win, but with Katharine Hanks and Hannah Bowley playing well in recent weeks, Perth should be able to pull through.

For the AIS it will be a fond farewell for those graduating players.

The League will get an injection of super-talent next season, with the likes of Christina Fox, Mikaela Dombkins and Melissa Smith graduating from the development program and hopefully bound to continue their careers in the WNBL.

Note: All match start times are local.

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