the girls are great together, they all get along and are very focused.

so true Coach D. Just get out there and enjoy it!

Didn't Vic Metro win the 16 girls in 2003. By 20 odd??

Why would SA be favorite??

As has already been said, anyone can win but the Vic's have the score on the board.

no she is going to be at the world games with the gems unfortunately.

The Metro girls have the sweetest draw seen at a Nationals in years. Expect them to cruise through the rounds winning by 20+ points per game.

The biggest danger could be meeting Vic Metro in the semi. Vic Metro wont be as strong this year, and will have to battle hard to get through in the super tough other half of the draw.

A tough semi against NSW Country is most likely with the game likely to go down to the wire.

Final against Vic Metro.

Who does Vic Metro have injured?

It should be a very interesting tournament. SA have lost Abby Bishop to the Junior Australian team which was a fantastic effort for her. Vic Metro however, also lost Louella Tomlinson to the same team which will be a huge loss for the Vics. From the 16's, Vic metro has lost their point gaurd Emma Andrews (ACL injury and is due to return later this year) Hayley Munrow (with an achilles problem I believe). Elyse Penaluna who dominated as a first year in the 18's pulled out of the team so SA have a good chance with so many Vic players missing. Lets hope Leah, Nikki, Mia and my favourite player Cayla stand up to the test. It would be great to see those girls come home with the gold. It will be tough but surely have the strength to do it. Play well and enjoy yourselves!!

True about there being injuries affecting the Vic Metro girls although I dont know about Munro, there are rumours that she will be fine to play or at least right for the last part of the week. Even so, this happening it still looks like the Vics will have a very strong team and will come home against SA. Cayla will play a big part in what happens and if Leah can take charge and run the team smoothly they will be competitive against the Vics. But after saying this they both need to get into the final first, there are some tough teams in the mist of the other pools. But it will still be too close to call though...and who ever brings there 'A' game on the day will win. All will be revealed very soon and cant wait to see what happens!

who else is doubtful? who is taking Munro's place.

They may only bring 9 to Perth, that is how bad the injury/illnes issue has become..two emergencies injured after coming into team...

how you know this info about munro? are you 100% certain?

I have heard that Munro will be at the nationals in Perth for sure. How much she will suit up and play in, i dont know. It all depends on how well she recovers when it gets closer to the date on whether how much she will be playing in. I have heard she is just resting it for the moment and will be ready for the nationals.

prob just the vics just playing themselves down before the tourney.

although they arent' are very strong team....id like to see how NSW metro fair....ellie manou (first year AIS scholarship) should dominate and to watch her and cayla battle it out would be money well spent...good luck SA Metro...go for gold! :)

I think that Ellie Manou is out of the championships. I heard that she hurt her foot and has been in a cast, so i think u can rule her out of the nationals. Wouldve been good to watch if she was playing.

So does this mean that all the girls from the AIS that were able to play at nationals cant now because of all different reasons??
Manou: foot
Tomlinson: GEMS
Bishop: GEMS
Munro: apparently achillies???
Schatz: GEMS

Whats going on here., are they running these girls into the ground.

NSW Metro are not very strong this year with no Manou or Samuels.

I too wondered about the AIS players all being injured or unavailable.

Cayla Francis is going to dominate big time.

Im sure it will be a good nationals and who ever wins im sure it will be well deserved. It is no good that key players of most teams wont be able to play. But it will allow other players in the teams to step up and to really show what they have got!

Mencel - Gems?

no mencel has been out of the gems squad since the beginning of the year. Munro is out for sure. Not attending the championships at all.

well who will replace McLeod if she is out. Mencel or Francis would be strong considerations.

actually Gems are every two years now.

does anyone happen to know where the under 18 boys and girl nationals are being held next year?

Adelaide

thanks!