Jack Toft
Years ago
R18 – The Last Act of Defiance
The final minor round is here and with some teams already firmly out of the finals, all they can hope for is the last act of defiance to finish off the season. It's also the last ABA game for a few players, some by choice, some not.
Mavs - Panthers @ Hills
Women: A massive sigh of relief from Mt Barker tonight as the season finishes. The Mavs will need to ponder a number of questions in the off season. South likely to wrap them up like a present and hope for losses to North and Centrals for a 5th spot.
Men: In the absence of their NBL contingent Mavs will struggle. It was a bit of a fiery game for South last week and the Mavs could do well to niggle to get a reaction, but it should all be in vain as South rack up a consolation win to round off a season for both teams that promised so much, but delivered like Arthur Daley.
North – Eagles @ Hillcrest
Women: North are 5th at the moment, but need to win tonight and need Centrals and South to lose to stay there. Eagles got a scare from the Lionesses last week and were fortunate enough to be wearing their brown knickers at the time. Eagles probably prefer to face North or South in finals over Centrals, so will North get a "surprise" win at home? Could all be in vain if Centrals win because the Lionesses have the split, but someone better learn the Heimlich Maneuver just in case.
Men: North could consider themselves lucky to be in finals this year. They gave the competition a 4 game headstart and seemed in more strife than a one armed bomb disposal expert before they worked out what basketballing was about. Eags booked their spot in the 5 early with the Rash letting his on court performance do the talking. Despite what some would argue is one of the weakest lineups in the 5, the Rockets plucked the Eagles at Wayville last time they met and tonight have a good chance of dining on an eagle parmie schnitty before their journey into finals. Another game of cat and mouse in the tin shed tonight with both teams not wanting to risk injury to players, or exposure of their finals plans. Chances are the Eagles are a little better prepared this time and will bring the fire extinguishers.
Norwood – West @Mars
Women: Nothing like a big blockbuster game on the eve of the finals to get the juices flowing. Norwood have had a fantastic season, Westies should be happy with their season as well with a number of solid performances including the highest score (122). Norwood have got Westies covered this season and should be careful not to show their best hand to West prior to finals.
Men: Vintage Cooper last week. Why isn’t he running around the NBL dunking on everyone? Oh that’s right, he has a "real job" now. Regardless of the result, the Flames will not be outdone by the Ladies and will make it dual minor premierships for the Club – a 1 in a 100 chance and credit to both teams. West will find it hard to nurse an away win tonight.
Sturt – Tigers @ Pasadena
The night is raising money for Men’s cancer, so all I can say is “pull your finger out” and donate to a good cause.
Women: Tigeresses won’t make finals and have lost some momentum as they head into this tough ask in the final round. They would have more hope of becoming a Jess Riseley facebook friend and her rolling up in her Territory than snaring a win tonight.
Men: It’ll be like pulling the wings of flies tonight for the Sturt boys. Team Tiger is like Tiger Airways - well and truly grounded with cabin crew to lock doors and cross check. Sturt should be on top of Mount Diddy as they enter yet another finals campaign. The bubbles are on ice and should be quite chilled by September 3rd.
Lions – Warriors @ Starplex
Women: All the Lionesses need to do tonight to guarantee finals is get a win. Any win will do. A crushing win, a come from behind win, a win after the buzzer, a one point buzzer beater, or a fall over the line win. They are on equal wins with North at the moment, but have a + 39 advantage on the split. Watch out for black cats, cracked mirrors and ladders. I reckon Toddy has hidden all the knives, matches and wrapped them in bubble wrap this week just in case. Woodville will be greated with a Mardi Gras atmosphere and may be over-run by a team hungry for finals action. The only question is after being outright bottom for the last ten years, how will the fans react when the Lionesses actually get into finals?
Men: If the Lionesses win, then the atmosphere at Starplex will be electric. Matty Atkins plays his last ABL game tonight in what appears to be a dead rubber with only club pride on the table. This game won’t be the prettiest, but Woodville would be well advised to catch the Lions off guard early if they want to chalk up a win. The Lions will be looking to chair off Matty from a winning court so this game won’t be over until the final siren. Sentimental dreamers will be tipping a Lions win.
That's the end of the minor rounds, so long and thanks for all the fish.
