Jack Toft
Years ago
R16 ABL Action
Mavs v Eagles @ AHRC
Women: Eagles are in pretty good form at the moment and after knocking off Norwood, I reckon they shouldn't have many problems tonight and will be bobsleding all the way home. The $100 is still on the table for the Mavs.
Men: The Mavs should be disappointed with their season and they need to dig deep to show their true potential. The Eagles have been flying high this year and should enjoy their road trip. Reckon they’ll swoop with sharp talons tonight, then have plenty of time for a Maccas run afterwards. Rashad unstoppable against a seemingly insipid defense. Remember Eagles may soar, but at least a Maverick won’t get sucked into a jet engine.
Flames v Warriors @ Mars
Women: This time last season the Flames were in shatters and their last three performances this season could be described as ordinary, resulting in their perfect run coming to the end last week. Reminds me of Collingwood around finals time. Are the Lady Flames the new Collingwood? Could the young Woodville team take advantage of the Colliwobbles and claim a big scalp on the road? Brilliant for them if they did, but Simon Says "no way".
Men: Despite a sterling effort against Sturt last week, Woodville will probably find themselves just outside the 5 providing how tight the men’s comp is. They have certainly had one of the best seasons since Darren Ng was a Warrior (or Spartan?), but the Flames are one team setting the pace in the mens. They seem to have all the boxes ticked like a public servant. The Flames have a defensive structure suffacating teams to 66 ppg and have various scoring and rebounding options. If this was Quidditch, it’s Gryffindor vs Ravenclaw. Everyone roots for a Ravenclaw win, but you know Gryffindor gets the golden snitch in the end. At least the cucumber sandwiches will be served on proper crockery afterwards. The question of who will win is irrelevant in the scheme of things, the big question is which cheer squad will have more bogans, if at all?
Sabres v Panthers @ Pasadena
Women: Lucas’s Sabres has been quiet this season, but provided some good solid D and have only dropped both games against the Flames to blemish their record. The Panthers are still in the hunt for 5th spot and will be keane for a win to keep their chances alive. Sabres won by 26 points last time and that’s a big turnaround, but the end of season brings out the best in teams. Sturt have more depth than the Panthers and this will be the difference tonight.
Men: The Panthers still have a very, very slight chance of getting into the 5 but need results to go their way and hope to win a four way split. North have the split over them, they are +7 on Woodies and they are +3 on Sturt. I’m calling Professor Frink to get him to explain it all, but all I know is the next stage of their war starts with a win tonight and when you rely on results, it’s as hard as doing a Rupik’s cube blindfolded. The Sturt Sith are well rested and will be systematic, and ruthless, in their battle plans. While Ng’s absence will weaken their arc shooting, there are plenty of padawans to take his place. The romantics will be hoping for a Panther win, the realists will be tipping Sabres. Either way, the Panther Army will need to be loud tonight to prove that the “Norwood Faux Bogans” aren’t the best cheer squad in the ABL.
Bearcats v Tigers @ Port Adelaide
Women: Equal MOTR. Tigers need a win to keep in touch with the 5, West need a win to prove they are worthy of being there. Last time they met, it was West by 13. When the games against Mavs and Woodville are discounted from the equation, West are 2 from their last 7 (ie non-Mav/Woodies) games which would be encouraging for other finals teams. Tigers are a very disappointing 1 from 7, which is not really inspiring a long finals campaign if they get there. This is likely to be the Tigeresses final this week, with a West win to knock their aspirations on the head like spraying weedkiller on a front lawn.
Men: The Bearcats at home look menacing. The Tigers are in “rebuilding phase”. Probably a good game for the 'Cats to try a few rotations and plays out without too much risk. Tigers could win, then again Julia might get re-elected in a landslide.
Lions v Rockets @ Starplex
Women: Equal MOTR. A must win game for both teams in what will be no place for princesses worried about breaking a nail. Lionesses currently have the +13 split and on their home turf, North may find it difficult to erode that advantage. Lions have two tough games next round and they need the win more than North. Jo Hill is leading the charge for North, but the Lionesses seem to have the advantage over North in more matchups and so if they play to their advantages and play the team game, the Lionesses will hunt well tonight. Don’t expect Mahoney and Hill will get any splinters from the benches tonight.
Men: The Lions have won 3 of their last 4 to lift them to 8th, but after dropping their first 4 games, North have won an impressive 9 from 11 to put them in finals contention. Defensively, the teams are well matched, but offensively North average an extra 9 ppg. The Lions have chucked up an extra 46 shots than North this season, yet linger 34 FGM’s behind North’s season tally. They have also chucked up 52 more 3 point attempts than North. Quality, not quantity is the key to success. If the Lions want any chance of mauling the guard heavy Norf tonight, they need to rip the cling wrap off their hoops and make sure those golden nuggets drop cleanly. Should be a tough game, but North’s better shooting to be the difference.
