Really looking forward to this. My Friday night will be scheduled around it :-)

I don't consider Beal a great player.

I expect Perth to win but want the Hawks to get it done.

"Great" admittedly is a relative term. He's not in the Kevin Lisch or James Ennis category.
I just mean that they are two of our best players and so often get the job done, but unless they have a blinder its not enough without others stepping up.
I have been disappointed so far with Redhage. I was really hoping the old warhorse would step it up like Forman & Vukona come finals time.

I know Perth are supremely confident of winning on Friday (even heard rumours they're talking about selling grand final tickets already?) but this game is gettable for the Hawks, even without Lisch.

In game 1, they lost Lisch early and had to make in-game adjustments. They were obviously better at making the adjustment in game 2.

Also, in game 1, despite losing Lisch, they were 10 points down with about a minute-and-a-half to go. However, in that game, Penney shot 2/9 3s, Rhys shot 1/4, a few shot 0/1.

If Penney had hit 2 more (to take him up to his season average) and a couple of others had dropped, then that lead with a minute-and-a-half to go disappears and its a different game. Hypothetical, I know, but the difference between shots dropping and not was the difference in the result (obviously!). And most of the shots that missed were good shots - they were quite makeable.

" (even heard rumours they're talking about selling grand final tickets already?)"

To whom?

If the Hawks come to play with the same intensity and attitude they showed at home in game two, it is game on!

Looking forward to this and the final series...

Massive, massive game. It's been a pretty exciting season with a lot of interesting games (yes there has been some boring ones too for those "glass half empty" people)

Everyone's second team, the Hawks, travel to take on everyone's most disliked team, the Cats. It's the stuff of legend this game and if I were Cat's players and officials, I'ld be going with the browns jocks on Friday, and maybe bring a second pair just in case as I think this is going down to the wire.

The Hawks have lost 22 in a row in Perth and that can only mean one thing - a win is coming up. The Cats should have left them get a win during the minor rounds. Now, the pressure is on the Cats as the voodoo is very much up to be broken, and these kinds of voodoos in sport always seem to happen during finals.

The Hawks looked pretty good on the weekend and the Cats looked pretty average. It's almost as if they wanted a third game to get some revenue for the club. Momentum is with the Hawks and this should be a red, red flag to the Cats.

The long awaited tussle between Martin and Lisch may have to wait next season.

If the Hawks were smart, they'll bring over Saville and Campbell as well as the Old Red Fox. Imagine the inspirational speech those boys would give in the locker room. The Hawks would be walking barefoot on hot coals and the Cats could be throwing darts at them and they wouldn't hurt.

I'm going with the Hawks to put the Cat in the bag.

Hardly.
I imagine both teams have contingency plans for selling GF tickets. Just as everyone makes plans for game 3.

I am really hoping for big things from this game.
The Cats have plenty of time to recover, analyse, and plan. They are the better team, and should win. They just need to get their shit together and start playing like they deserve another championship. Haven't seen that so far this series, hence why I am hoping for a massive turnaround.

Perth are definitely not selling GF tickets, at least not general admission or to members. They may be contacting those who purchase corporate boxes as they have been selling them for single games this finals, as opposed to "one in, all in" in previous years.

I don't feel the Cats are clearly the better team. They have home court but they are not as good as some think. They have no true go to scorers so it's all about their defence.

I'm talking about demonstrated potential, as in how they played this season (at home). Which is not an unreasonable proposition.
They have demolished the Hawks three times in Perth this season. I'm not suggesting that such a performance is automatic, far from it, I'm worried.
But they have shown that they can bury the best teams, including the Hawks.

Agree Dazz, if Perth play at their top form no one can run with them, however if the hawks get thier eye in from 3 and the cats D is off (like the 3rd qtr in game 2) this could be ugly again. Larry33, cats fans are most certainly not 'supremely confident', we've been pumped in 2 of our last 4 games. I think we'll win...but don't ask me to put money on it.

The Hawks and Cats have played 6 times this season.
The three games in Perth were all easy wins to the Cats.
The games in the Gong netted two close wins to the Cats and one easy win to the Hawks.

Based on that record, this should be another easy win for the Cats, and if they get their shit together it will be. I'm sorry, but ONE game in the Gong does not constitute a new reality. Sunday's game is no basis for predicting a win on Friday.
As I've said, I don't fully understand why road games are so tough, but the Cats have been ordinary on the road, and almost unstoppable in Perth. That is the reality.

IF we make the GF, I am nervous about facing NZ, because I can't remember the last time we won there. But I'm sure it's NOT a ten year losing streak!

I am not "supremely confident." As I have repeatedly said, Jawai seems injured, Perth were flat at the start of game 1, our defence was shredded in game 2, and we have lost our ascendancy on the boards. I am HOPING we play like championship aspirants on Friday and reverse these deficiencies. If we do, we will win. If we don't, we won't.

Even if Lisch plays how effective is he going to be playing on a dodgy ankle?

Wildcats Vs Breakers Final is what I am expecting.

If there is one thing I have learned about this NBL season, it is that we need to expect the unexpected...

So we shouldn't base anything on reality?
So the Hawks will obviously win, then win the GF in 2, because they won ONE game? Get Real.

If you want to talk about recent? Umm OK, Hawks recently played in Perth. Perth slept through the first quarter, then rolled the Hawks like a cheap fag.

I'm not "confident" of a Cats win, but neither should anybody be so "confident" of a Hawks win...

"The Penney will drop in Game 3" - Matt Knight

The only reason I have any remaining interest in the NBL at this stage of the season is because the Hawks are there. If it is a Perth-NZ GF I'll be tuning out.

"The only reason I have any remaining interest in the NBL at this stage of the season is because the Hawks are there. If it is a Perth-NZ GF I'll be tuning out."

Just out of curiosity Wilson, is that because your sick of seeing a Perth V NZ final, or you don't particularly like either of those teams?

From memory there have been some cracker games between Perth V NZ games in recent times. Not sure why any fan of the game would tune out for those games.

"But there is just'something' about this Hawks team which has cats fans worried. Perhaps it is the lisch and bevo factor"

Its just the fact they are a really good team who had a great second half to the season.

The names are irrelevant. I don't care whether its Lisch and Bevo, or some names with no links to the club, we just don't want to lose and there is a decent chance of that happening.

Wildcats will win, don't be silly.

The chances of the Hawks owning the Cats twice and Coenraad and Forman going off again? Unlikely.

Sorry, I thought you were saying that Cats fans would be more upset to lose to a team with a former player/coach than another team. I was just saying that I don't want to lose to anyone.

Train, I think it's a combination of the schedule going weird at this time of year (why have a big rush between games 1 and 2 but then a decent break till game 3), a little bit of sick of Perth vs NZ (it's always nice to see an outsider in finals in any sport) and a lot of I just don't like Perth (this is more about not liking Redhage, Hire and Wagstaff, and the leniency afforded to Damien Martin - the Wildcats franchise themselves I have a great deal of respect for).

Plus I'm a cheapskate so only watch the FTA games or attend home games, so with the Taipans out that only means watching the one FTA game a week.

Lisch saying he's a better than 50% chance of playing.

"why have a big rush between games 1 and 2 but then a decent break till game 3"

I thought it was just me that felt like the 5 day break between games killed the finals' momentum. 4 games in 4 days then almost a full week off? I wonder how many sport fans who were watching NBL finals up to Sunday will switch over to the AFL pre season games? Those games will resume tonight after a 4 day break.

I think they aim for week end games where possible. The first four games ran Thurs-Sun.

If it gives Lisch time to get fit and make this a series contest, then no one should complain!

(I do think Perth will smack them though regardless of Lisch playing. But I hope they won't.)

The GF dates are....packed into 5 days!!

I hope Hawks get the win here. They are everyone's 2nd team this year. What is not to love about Lisch!

Meh, have to except that in practically any game non-Perth fans want Perth to lose. It's a weird psychological condition, you could probably write a book on it, but it is what it is, I have stopped trying to understand it.
As for this being some massive spectacle, and a game for the ages, I think the 5 day break (and no g3 in the other series) is making people bored. It's a game. An important outcome is no guarantee that the game itself will be anything special.
Knowing Perth, there's a reasonable chance it will be a defensive brawl.

Take Flophage, Wagshit, Hire and that dumbs hit court announcer out of the Wildcats and I think everyone likes them.....oh, and a few different songs during their games wouldn't hurt either. Lol

#sameeveryweek

I hope Hawks get the win here. They are everyone's 2nd team this year.

Well they've certainly been my 2nd team for several years.

Awesome to read that Lisch is a real chance of playing.

Yes, I understand. If we stopped being good at baketball, and stopped making the finals, then after 20 years of "haha yooz d-serve it cos Perf suks," people might get over it...

Well at least we don't use a two-syllable chant for a monosyllable name. When Wollongong start chanting for the Whore-Orks, it conjures up really alarming images.

And for the record, the only place where the Hawks are "everybody's second team" is Wollongong.

Lol

I'll wager of the 5 teams out of contention that the majority of fans want the Hawks to take the chocolates this year.

If you don't like people rebutting you, don't talk so much shit. Deal with it.

lol

This ain't going to be easy Lisch or no Lisch. They have some serious shooters. The key for the Wildcats is to get Foreman into foul trouble as he has to play as a big. He cannot shoot three's if he's on the bench, plus means Coneraad has to then play tall inside.

Wildcats have been up and down this year, so who knows which team will turn up.

Defensively Martin has to go to Penny if Lisch isn't out there. I'd think about it even if he is. Prather has shown he cannot go with him. Let him take Martin or a less than 100% Lisch. Penny is good at drawing the foul, and Martin is a bit smarter and also his defensive history as best defensive player numerous times gives him more leeway it seems :).

"
"I know Perth are supremely confident of winning on Friday (even heard rumours they're talking about selling grand final tickets already?)"

It reminds me of the Tigers wheeling out the championship trophy in the fourth quarter of a Game 4 then wheeling it away when the Kings made an epic comeback to win. GF 07 or 08 I believe. "

not as big a fail as when Graf had the caps spent over $10,000 on several thousand "Three peat Dynasty' T-shirts .

Does anyone know approximately how many tickets have been sold for tonight's game at Perth Arena so far?

Who wins?

Depends on how the referees referee the game.

And I don't mean in terms of bias/favouring one team.

I mean as in whether they call the game tightly or allow a free-flowing game.

If it's called as a tight, stop-start game, then Perth will, IMO, win in a canter as it suits their style.

If it's free flowing, up and down with minimal referee intervention, I will lean towards the Hawks.

*sigh*

http://www.hoops.com.au/forum/39071-game-tempo-in-wildcats-hawks-series/#p580308

"Does anyone know approximately how many tickets have been sold for tonight's game at Perth Arena so far?"

It would want to be plenty more than game 1.

Apparently the Ticketek website had the GF game 1 blurb up after SF game 2, instead of the SF game 3. Obviously that was the doing of Nick Marvin and his never-ending arrogance so we must thank Boti for pointing this out to us because he is always impartial when discussing them.

OMG they're already talking grand finals at the Wildcats. Arrogant!!!!

Yes i recall a picture on ATF.net showing a blurb describing that Perth had made it to another GF appearance.

Was that not the doing of Perth (i.e. a third party error)? - genuine question.

That was a ticketek.com.au stuff-up. Not the Wildcats.

They would have had two blurbs to go with - a GF game 1, or a SF game 3. Somehow, the wrong blurb got sent to Ticketek, or posted by Ticketek. You'd assume it was human error somewhere long the line, not a deliberate act as if them making the GF was a foregone conclusion.

That is to say, even if the error was caused by someone from the club sending through the wrong details, its not the big deal that people would have you believe.

Illawarra, let's do this. Come on!

Wow, Boti is still going on about it

"Is tonight the night? Does Illawarra leave its consecutive losses in Perth at Jordan's famous number ? (23 ... not 45) Or will the Wildcats’ premature announcement of playing for their seventh NBL title prove prophetic?"

Hi,
Jaimee Rogers here with the latest NBL odds.

Hawks price has come in from > $3 since the good Lisch news but they're still reasonable value in a 2 horse race.

Wildcats $1.42
Hawks $2.88
Margin -5.5 points
Over/Under: 168.5

Good luck and I hope you back a winner.

Thanks Jamieee

Yeah, Cats fans, stop commenting in the threads about Cats game and Cats issues. Anon said so.

As a born and bred west aussie, I too hope the Hawks get up - And that's not because Bevo made me sign up to be a Member at the start of the year haha!

Wildcats fans are quickly becoming the West Coast 'Chardonnay Club' Eagles type supporters of the NBL - Arrogant, Cocky yet don't give any opposition teams half the respect they deserve. Be nice to see some of the users on here (SC comes to mind...) eat some humble pie and see if they can refrain from blaming the refs, the commentators, the sound system at Perth Arena, the poor teenager on the food stand charging you way too much for nowhere near enough for the price chips... And just say "Hey, we lost to the better team." And if not tonight, then in a weeks time when the Breakers WILL win it if the Cats do make it that far.

No but Luuuc is spelt with 3 'U's' and as he posted it, I added the extra 'e' to the name Jamiee.

I can't imagine you made much of an impact in the classroom.

Oh R@nD0m... what tripe. "lost to the better team" LOL! The Wildcats are the better team. That is already established. So IF we lose, which we won't, it can only be due to other factors outside the team's control. Or alternatively, match fixing. But that seems unlikely. And btw I would never blame the high price of the chips for a Wildcats loss. The two are not connected. The chips price is what ruins the whole game night experience. Costing us wins lies squarely at the feet of the corrupt refs. Duhh.

I can't wait for this.

Fuck, it's going to be huge.

*Generic angry and antagonistic post*

looks like its Troll season again.

Seriously can't wait for this game to start. Haven't been this nervous before watching a game for yonks. Hope Lisch is good to go and may the best team win. Go Wildcats :)

Lol, damn Perth is full of bogans.

As a dude who has spent a lot of time in Perth for work I have never seen anything like it.

Can't wait for tonight's game!!

Bring it :)

Expecting minimalist crowd again. Apparently flogging off half price tickets in the last 4 hours...

"Expecting minimalist crowd again."

Was going to don my usual red wildcats polo but I might change to all black everything so I don't feel out of place.
Also instead of "Let's go Wildcats, let's go!" I will only be chanting "Let's go Wildcats"

Lol

Worth cheering for the empty seats.

So...81 minutes until tip off.

Esky loaded....here we go!

"Apparently flogging off half price tickets in the last 4 hours..."

Where are you getting this info ?

Wildcats keys to victory

Offence: Casey Prather needs to get going, and then stay out of foul trouble

Defence: Please miss lots of your shots, Hawks. Pretty please.

Lol

Keys to victory....Lisch and Penney get going.

2 minutes!!

Hawks to hit 70% of their 3's and just scrape it in by 5.

Refs keeping Perth in front with those last couple of calls

Agreed,

Refs want Perth to win,

Perth have the energy right now.

Hawks can't let them get breaks like that last Prather alley

Pick up the energy or go home Hawks

Looks like these refs have a good Hawks bet on....

Who is going to catch them? Tim Donaghy got away with it for years...you think the NBL can catch cheating refs that bet on games? LOLOL

Jawai is throwing his weight around tonight and getting away with it.

As I write they finally call a foul on him for the moving screen. Third time it's happened in past few mins tho.

I was going to say good luck doing that vs Breakers bigs

AJ is a mental midget in this building.

"Oh look, Perth are skipping ahead, we better start to call some fouls on the Cats so the Hawks get to the line, how else are we going to cash our Hawks that we placed" - Refs

Beautiful work by Penney to milk the Redhage foul there.

If you couldnt bet on NBL games, referees would be acting completely different.

Tempo = Fixing Troll?

Hawks full court press on the inbound is basically a layup drill for Perth... need to just shut that down.

18 FTs to 6 LOLOL AND STILL LOSING.

The refs must be shaking in there boots because they are in real danger of losing there Hawks bets....

OK. About my comments about Perth "selling" GF tickets: my wife heard it from someone. I couldn't substantiate it. But people above have said it was on Ticketek and attributed to human error.

As to the game: fix the flapping passes, Hawks. Then your shooting can take care of itself. But too mant turnovers = not enough shots.

Perth and NZ are easily best two defensive teams. So this will be an intense, physical, evenly matched GF

Tempo one of those folks who thinks both teams should shoot the same amount of FTs no matter how they play.

So, who's excited for a NZ-Perth Final?!?!

.....

bring on 2016/17.

Looks like its the "Perth Bogan's" going through to the Grand Final. We might be bogans....but atleast we are winners. #7championships

Hawks in a great position moving fwd


Just need slightly better or more fitting players around their big 3. Keeping the big 3 obviously key tho

Need some tissues Anon?