In melbs for a holiday and managed to score free ticks to the game.

Should be a cracking game. Cant wait.

Frank will be serviceable. He is still extremely fit and has being playing high level ball recently.

As is always the case when playing Melbs we need to contain Goulding.

But just as importantly we need to hold our own on the boards (which is going to be very tough). Morrison will have a biggy i think.

It's televised on One HD at 9.30pm Friday (10/1)

Melb by 10. Morrison and Ballinger V Vukona and Wilkinson will be good battle but who can stop Goulding.

If Vukona plays 30+ minutes, Breakers can win and it will be close.

If Vukona plays <20 minutes as usual due to foul trouble, Melbourne in a canter.

I'm short on reasons not to tip Melbourne by 5-9.

Of course Frank is fit...goddammit. That was well established during the week

Frank was only playing social ball, all be it with ex Tallblacks, NZNBL & 2cnd Div guys but still social.
He still plays for the Saints in the NZNBL and I agree he will be at least serviceable but horribly undersized at the 5.

Look on the brightside, whatever happens, there's a good chance we can combine Frank's highlights, a Benny Hill soundtrack, and all have a good time.

Too late to change that tip?

Casey's on fire!

Casey Frank, 5pt on 2/2, 1r, 1b, drew a charge, all in a quarter.

Vukona commits his first foul, but has drawn four, eek.

Wait, so when did Farrakhan turn into a 3pt gun?

is nbl tv working??

I haven't been able to watch for some reason.

Great win NZ. Tigers had won 7 in a row??? They seem rudderless. Crunch time had no structure. Corletto seems to get them every time. Amazing turn of fortune for him and great that he pays them back every time.

The Breakers are the sleepers.

Vukona just a beast, and Abercrombie has turned himself into a fourth quarter man. Really liking hat Farrakhan brings too, he has become very patient after forcing things in his first few games.

NZ have 7 of their last 11 at home, they are certainly close enough to 4th if theyre good enough. Id love a Perth v NZ semi final.

We really shouldn't be getting ahead of ourselves...

The Breakers have won what, two out of their last six, including a win over a Sydney team that would frankly lose to a group of 5'6" geriatrics.

I think they match up well against Melbourne, that's all. Melbourne were due for a loss--it's a tight comp. Don't go thinking the Breakers have turned the corner, and then get disappointed next week when they get their asses handed to them in their second 20+ point drubbing in three weeks.

No one's saying that, but this is their tough period, they have a good run home and they are in equal fourth as we speak. Close enough if theyre good enough.

Oh no doubt they're close enough if good enough. Them or Cairns are likely going to book themselves a first round flogging against Perth, yes.

Of course people here aren't saying they've turned the corner, but ol' Frosty is hinting at it^ "Breakers are the sleepers". I'm not saying they haven't turned the corner anyway, just using stats along with hyperbole to quell the apparent excitement over the Breakers prospects, which have remained the same over the last month and a half.

Fair enough. I'd just love to see the old rivals in the semi finals with the HCA turned around, could possibly make for a fascinating series with the mental barriers involved.

Most definitely!

It was a quality game from the bits I saw, with both teams shooting very well.

Some poor umpiring helped get Tigers back in the game. Well done to NZ to get the win. Great energy by Frank!

Does anyone else get sick of watching Goulding, Worthington and Tomlinson complain over and over every game? It makes watching Tigers games so hard to watch.

Tigers lack a genuine small forward, and it might hold them back in the playoffs (provided they don't completely collapse and miss them). NZ was able to expose that through Abercrombie.

Worthington and Walker can play spot minutes at the 3 but they're not super agile and play more like mobile 4s. Greer has a fairly limited skill-set, and obviously Odigie is too raw at this stage. They'll struggle in the playoffs against guys like Ennis, Creek and Frye

Oh dear, Tigers.

Congrats Breakers, pulled out a few 4th quarter surprises for teams now.

good game , Vukona should clean up the club awards this year
Abercrombie having a good month suprisingly

Abercrombie averaging 18p at 60% on threes the past two months!