Jack Toft
Years ago
ABA Finals – week 1
Womens
Norwood-Tigers @ Mars
Luck may be on the side of the Tigeresses if Norwood are still down on players and relying on reputation to get this one. Tigers played a great come back game a fortnight ago and need to snuff the Flames early to have any chance of venturing deeper into the jungle. Norwood, at full strength, at home will be hard to beat, but a depleted Norwood may need some help from the refs in the Tigerhunt.
West-Sturt @ Port
This is going to be a goodie, no a great game. Sturt have just gone about their business all year without much fanfare. West have got the job done too, but with the talent available have usually had enough in the tank most games. Both teams pipped by the Eagles for top spot. Chances of Sturt slipping under the defence of West are pretty slim at Port Misery. After the game, a Sabre rug will go nicely into the bar to match the Panther, Lion, and Tiger rugs to complete the set of wildcats.
Men:
Eagles-North @ Wayville
This is the "Crusader's Final". The prize for who-ever wins this game is a final against either an angry Sturt, or a desperate Norwood on THEIR home court. Yep, it’s like whoever wins the battle has to go and slay the dragon. What fun. Who will play the part of Shrek? Will be very close game. Both teams need to be out of the blocks early and force the other onto the backfoot. Eagles will look to Riley inside and reckon we’ll see plenty of 3PA’s in the first quarter to push for an early 10 point lead. Rockets will be looking for their big man too and guards will be going 1 on 1 chucking 3PA’s like a lazy man chucks a sickie after a long weekend.
If this doesn’t go into overtime, the final play will decide. Slightly leaning towards Eagles.
Sturt-Norwood @ Pasadena
For Norwood to threepeat from 3rd will be something special. They face an uphill battle, but one which should inspire anyone. I can’t wait to see what some of these guys look like in 10 yrs time. Who will do the best Darren Jarman/Darren Lehmann after retirement?
Sturt will be very hard to beat at home and I suspect have more firepower - Sturt by 7. Sturt may win round 1 on home turf, but Norwood will re-group and plot their ultimate demise (insert evil laugh). An early loss will put the pressure on Norwood, but Webber will save his magic for GF day. Surely he couldn’t do it again? A slab of pales will go his way if he can. Reckon this game will see some Westies lurking in the crowd like a politician at a strip joint.
