Jack Toft
Years ago
R8 ABL Action
North v Southern @ Hillcrest Tin Shed
Women: Both teams are coming off losses, so a win tonight will be crucial to the long term plans for both teams. North were humbled by the Lions, and the Tigeresses played well to minimise the bleeding against West. Quite by co-incidence, the score in both games was 57 to 70 - what are the chances of that? North seem to rely on too few, whereas Southern spread the love around. Based on that, Southern to put another stake in the heart of the Rockettes as they slide down the table. Another big cat win in the tin shed. Someone told me BSA paid a $2/yr rent on Hillcrest, probably over-priced by $3/yr.
Men: Rockets on a 3 game winning streak would love to extend it to 4, but they are in a logjam with 4 other teams on 3 wins so they need to win tonight. Tigers have lost the last 2 and looking for the comfort of a win before a horror run of Sturt, Forestville, Mavs and Flames. The next rounds for the Tigers are like negotiating a minefield in Afghanistan. Bondy was a little quiet last round would be keen to show that 40 points was not a fluke. He might explode like a zit on a teenager's back to prove that. North are a mere shadow of their teams from years ago, but should add to the Tiger’s pains tonight.
Sturt v West @ Pasadena
Women: MOTR without a doubt. Both teams enter undefeated and this is the battle of ex-Lightning coaches. It’s the "Marino Cup" to be presented by Angela to the winner. Both teams are stingy in defence, so every goal counts. In fact, these teams are so stingy in defence, their defence is tighter than two coats of paint. This game will be played at full speed and will be live until the last play. Madgen has been giving the other team’s credit card a bashing of late, but she won’t spend up big tonight. Sturt in the narrowest of margins.
Men: Probably not the blockbuster it could have been with Holmes not there. Ninja is on fire and spurred on by his re-signing should be shooting the lights out. Paul Bell’s boys have only blotted their copy book once by loosing the Jimmy Barnes Cup and would not be happy being #2. You need to take your chances against Sturt when you can and tonight we might just see that. The home crowd at Pasadena Stadium hate home losses and this will be a rare one for them to watch as they sip their chardonnay and choke on their prawn cocktails.
Mavs v Warriors @ Icehouse
Women: Will be one to watch for all the wrong reasons. Whoever looses tonight should end up with the wooden spoon.
Men: Big news of the week is that Brad Hill will become a Taipan. Why would he want to move to such a warm, sunny place when he can enjoy the frosty mornings offered by the Adelaide Hills as the misty rain drizzles over his morning newspaper while the mist rolls off the mounts? The best dressed coach in the league will be hoping that this has distracted his counterpart this week and he can steal an away win. The Warriors may be in for a chilly reception. Bruce has been dishing out assists like Zoolander dishes out steel blue and Madgen, B, has been a thorn in any team’s side. Warriors might snatch victory, then again the Sixers might snatch Big Red.
Norwood v South @ Mars
Women: Gotta feel sorry for anyone playing against Team Foley this year. South trying hard, but can’t quite get the W, will battle against the in form Lady Flames. I am trying hard to think how South can knock them off without the use of a baseball bat. Nope, can’t see Norwood dropping this game. I reckon Norwood must have the Red Cross on standby so if they slaughter their opponents, they can give them a blood transfusion to beat them again.
Men: David Cooper has been putting up strong performances and tonight, the crafty, experienced centre might be the thorn in the side of DJ. The way Coops has played in his last three games, Marty might be seeing if there is some room on the roster for the ghost. Norwood are still top and South have put a temporary halt to their slide. Norwood will give South a push down the hill tonight. It’s not going to be a good night for the blue and white this round, 2-0 to the Flames.
Lions v Eagles @ Siberia North
Women: Anyone who thinks the Lionesses are pushovers this season have been hiding under a rock. The Lionesses have found their ROAR! and the Eagles wings have been flapping without success this season. The change of coach hasn’t affected the Lionesses who have found their savannah. When was the last time someone felt confident tipping the Lionesses? Mahoney might be in for some special attention from her old teammates tonight, but her presence on court will be the difference. Lions don’t often dine on Eagle, but I hear “it tastes like chicken”.
Men: The Lions have been unlucky not to have more wins, but seem to had a brain fade for about 5 minutes each game that gives it up. The Eagles have been inflicting “The Rash” on their opponents and the Lions will need to apply the “Kollashnikov” lotion to avoid an outbreak. Mottram is suiting for the Eagles and this will test the Carlinator who is leading the Lions scoring and must be attracting the attention of Marty as he finalises his roster. The 3 points specialists will be out tonight. Atkins for the home team and "the Brads" for the visitors. For the Lions to knock off their more fancied opponents, some of the old faces will need to step up to the plate. While this game will be closer than the ladder suggests, Eagles can play the full 40 minutes and this is the telling difference as the Lions bad 5 minute spell is the only thing to give an opponent a game.
