Jack Toft
Years ago
R9 ABL Action
Bearcats - Flames @ Port Adelaide
Women: Women's MOTR. West got knocked around last round and this game provides no respite for Vicki’s girls. The Flames were burning hot against the Panthers with plenty of steals, points off turnovers and point in the paint showing just how they like to play. Both teams are full of talent. Two big differences between the teams are Norwood have jacked up 59 more 3 point attempts so far this season, and Norwood’s D is a bit better. This means we should see Simon smiling like a Cheshire cat after this game.
Men: It’s 1 v 2 in the Men’s MOTR. Dowdell and Nurse have contributed well to West this season. For Norwood: Cooper, Webber, Hambour, Matthews. Sounds like the roll call from a Quentin Taratino movie. All we need is Mr. Wolf. Davo makes his return to the Port and will be keen to hang onto top spot, so this should be an absolute rip-snorter. Both teams better make a booking for the masseur Sunday morning 'cos there’s gunna be a lot of sore bodies. The only real difference in the teams is Norwood’s 3 point shooting and this will save them tonight. Davo can "ring the bell" to victory.
Panthers – Mavs @ Marion
Women: The unlucky Panthers have been playing better than their one win suggests and should be able to finally snare a second W this week. Mavs were competitive in the first quarter against Woodville, then slipped.
Men: Both teams are as un-predicatable as the weather. There seems to be the Good Panthers, the Bad Panthers, and I’m sure the Ugly Panthers are there somewhere. Johnson and Creek have contributed well, as have Omamogho and Boal, but this is the type of game when they need to lift their team to another level. The Mavs have got plenty of NBL talent, but just can’t seem to press their advantage and have been failing to dominate this season. Maybe now they have all signed up they can get focused. The Mavs play better away from the comfort of their stadium and my game predictor says this will go to overtime. Whoever can focus more will win. Probably not so much a game that’ll be won, more a game someone will lose.
Warriors – Lions @ St Clair
Women: The Warriors snared a win against the Mavs last round and the Lions missed out against the Eagles. We could hear the sigh of relief from The Warriors after their first win and the sigh of frustration from the Lions, who were competitive in the second half, but a second quarter shooting effort of 3 from 19 saw them finish with 26% from the floor handing the Eagles the game. Woodville are the youngest team out on the timber and tonight they might be learning a thing or two from a couple of crafty Lions who are having their best season since GMH started to make rust buckets at Elizabeth.
Men: “Centrals Lite” take on “Woodville Lite”. Woodville have been the surprise packet this year putting in performances that have seen them get some big scalps. Lions haven’t been playing badly, they just need to stay in the hunt to make the most of opportunities presented to them. Al Green is a definite contenter for COY. Don’t be fooled by his big smile, they say nothing soft comes out of the Bronx and Al Green’s mind is sharper than his dress sense. “Centrals Lite” to have the edge over “Woodville Lite” in what could see them cement a spot in the 5. Who will have the bigger smile after tonight, Pritchard or Green?
Eagles – Rockets @ Wayville
Women: Robinson was on fire for the Eagles swooping up 13 boards and a massive 6 blocks in a dominant display last round. Rockettes in all sorts of trouble at home against the Tigeresses to send them 1 from 5 at home. Minear is the leading Eagle scorer at the moment shooting an impressive 44% from the arc. For the Rockettes, the stats are a little less impressive with Hill the standout, but not getting much help. The Rockettes have been better away than at home, but the Eagles will show us why Wayville was a feared place last season. Oh, by the way, apparently Carla Borrego is suiting up for the Eagles. This could be considered a most unusual step by the Club. We have heard from some purtaining to be from the club the policy is “Junior Development” over “recruitment”. I suppose those same people say she’s just there for the bobsled team.
Men: The Eagles are sitting 3rd and have only lost to the two top teams. North were out in the wilderness with Ivan Milac for four rounds, then seemed to combine like 23 kg of Uranium over Los Alamos for the last 4 rounds. Their offence has gone from 78 ppg to 91 ppg, and defence from 86 ppg to 76 ppg. The Eagles have been strengthened with Motts, but should be as scared as Mike Rann at a bikie’s convention. Just when a team manages to control one pesky North player, another one pops up like a zit before a big date. If North play like they have been for the last 4 rounds, the Forestville Rash will be mild. North might just get this in an absolute boilover.
Tigers – Sabres @ Siberia South
Women: The Tigeresses were ahead by 19 in the last and almost let the Rockettes sneak a victory. The Sabres showed everyone why they are the ones to beat after the battle of the former Lightning coaches saw them send the Westies girls home with some homework for the finals. Madgen is leading the league in scoring and is well supported by all players. A loss tonight may see the Tigeressess slip out of the 5 temporarily.
Men: The Tigers need to lift their offensive output if they wish to climb the ladder. Robinson and Florance have contributed well, but this team needs to find another couple of buckets a quarter. The Sabres without Jake seem to be lacking Mojo and are in the bottom half, limping along like an athritic ex-footy player. The Sabres won’t need much Mojo tonight if the Tigers don’t pull their finger out and should make it 0-2 for the home teams.
