Dazz
Years ago
Wildcat's Tough run home
Melbourne (H)
Townsville (A)
Cairns (A)
Breakers (A)
Kings (H)
Taipans (H)
Breakers (H)
Sixers (A)
Townsville (H)
We've had the Hopman Cup in Perth, which is why there could be no home games over that period, but not sure why a few more away games could not have been scheduled. Now they have 5 games in 12 days, (including 3 Away games in 6 days) which is just ridiculous.
Perth's lack of bench depth is going to be sorely tested. They NEED a body to replace Knight, they need Hire back playing quality minutes, and they need U'U to recapture his earlier shooting form. Running their 6-man rotation is nolonger an option.
Given the condensed nature of this schedule, these games will make or break their season.
They have every reason to be confident against Melbourne. On paper they are still a better team, they're at home, and their poor defensive effort against Adelaide shouldn't be repeated. It's no certainty, but as I said; confident.
Townsville will be tough with only two days rest. This game could really set the tone for the remainder of this schedule. If they can't bounce back for their 2nd game, then they're going to be dead by the end. That said, Townsville are a weaker team, and the Cats should be able to win.
Cairns the following night. To be honest, the Cats might as well not bother. This would ordinarily be a tough game, but as their 3rd in 4 days its a joke. The only interest is how much the score blows out, in the unlikely event that Perth & Cairns finish tied for 2nd and need to go to the points split.
The NZ game will be a good measure of where the Cats are at. They will be pushing uphill to win in Auckland. What's more they will need to keep a little in the tank for The Kings.
Sydney in Perth will show how well the Cats have managed their personnel in the preceding game(s).
It should be a win for Perth.
They then stay at home, with a 5 day break before playing Cairns. This will be an epic game, and could go either way.
Things ease up schedule wise, with a 9-day break before taking on NZ in Perth. Conceptually, this is the toughest road-trip for The Breakers, but that didn't stop then hosing Perth in the season opener. Could go either way.
Perth then travel to Adelaide. I know 36's fans would like to pencil this one in, but the only thing we know for sure is that it could go either way.
Then back home to take on Townsville. The great thing about this game is that it could still shape the finals. With both teams coming off a two day break, Perth will be confident of victory.
2 more wins COULD be enough, 3 SHOULD be, 4 will practically guarantee a finals berth. There's a lot of games that could go either way, but I see enough opportunities to be confident. It will certainly be an interesting couple of weeks.
