Rockhampton Rockets v Cairns Marlins, Fri 8:00pm @ Rockhampton-  The Rockets secured the home QABL finals series last week and won’t have that hanging over their heads in this game.  They will however, treat this as a Semi-Final game which it very well could be in 2 weeks time.  The Marlins collected a 91-83 victory in Round 7- something the Rockets will be looking to reverse here, with intimidation tactics of the home venue.  Marlins are in a position to host a Quarter Final on the back of a successful weekend as long as the Heat lose to Mackay, so the team will be giving 110% in the hope that this scenario pans out.  The Rockets are coming off the back of a big win over the Goannas (103-88) and should carry solid form into this weekend.  The Marlins will give this game a good crack, but Rockets at home will be a huge task for them. 

Bundaberg Bulls v Northside Wizards, Sat 7:00pm @ Bundaberg-  The Wizards got the nod when these 2 first met in Round 5 (107-86).  Now in Round 16, the Bulls will try to spoil the party for the Wizards who have a lot riding on this game.   A win will automatically guarantee them of being hosts for the Quarter Finals, as they have the head-to-head advantage over the Capitals.  Tragardh, Sykes and Davis are still filthy at the team’s loss to the Capitals last start (96-101), with a bye last weekend softening the blow.  The Bulls Anderson will be out to give his home town one last foray, which in combination with Cann and Stroh should be enough to give the Wizards a good scare at minimum. 

Logan Thunder v Brisbane Capitals, Sat 7:00pm @ Logan-  The biggest game of the year for the Thunder.  They are currently tied with the Goannas, with only one of these teams moving forward to play the Pirates in a Quarter Final.  The Goannas have a 2pt head-to-head advantage, so should both the Thunder and Goannas win this weekend, the Goannas will continue.  This becomes altered should the Mountaineers beat the Clippers and a three-way tie occurs, the Thunder will move forward.  On the other side of the court, the Capitals need this win to be a chance of hosting their Quarter Final against the Wizards- not as much at stake as the Thunder, but enough to see them kick into overdrive early.  Green was the only contender for the Thunder in the team’s loss to the Pirates last week (76-105), and should they produce another low 30% effort from the field, they can kiss the finals goodbye. 

Toowoomba Mountaineers v Maroochydore Clippers, Sat 7:00pm @ Toowoomba-  The Mountaineers will miss out on a Quarter Final by a whisker.  The team was vying for a 2^nd position in Pool C but as they sit one loss behind both the Thunder and the Goannas, they don’t have enough reach to assume a spot.  The team can be proud of a fantastic year in a pool consisting of the strongest group of teams in the competition (looking at ladder positions overall).  Coach Petersen won’t let the team slack early though so don’t look for any favours being made towards the Clippers, who have one last chance to collect their first win of the season. 

Caboolture Suns v Ipswich Force, Sat 8:00pm @ Caloundra-  The Suns opened their ’08 season with a bang and were 2 and 1 and 4^th on the ladder early on.  They’ve seen Jett thrust motivation into the squad, which had Andrews and McGlynn striving for more.  Jett has been a fantastic addition to the Suns roster this season and currently sits as a hot contender for the MVP title, along with a 30ppg, 16rpg average to round out the year.  The team will be looking to exit the year on a high, however this doesn’t stand to be an easy task if the Force can produce an effort like they did against the Bulls last week where Stolberg pitched in a PB (41pts @ 53%, 22rbs).  The Force will finish the year in 14^th overall regardless of this result.

Gladstone Power v Cairns Marlins, Sat 8:00pm @ Gladstone-  The Marlins put on a big show against the Power in Round 10, dissecting their every move to finish victors at 107-77.  Since then the Power have seem limited amounts of success, but will finish the year with 6 more wins then their ’07 season.  The Marlins will be all business as the team has a small window of opportunity to snatch the right to host a Quarter Final from the Heat.  Cook has had an outstanding regular season and will bring a 24ppg. 5rpg, 3.5apg average into the finals.  The Power have plenty of talent so this game is not all smooth sailing for the Marlins as they know they are facing a team who has collected recent solid victories over the Pirates (107-101) and Meteors (115-97).

Mackay Meteors v Townsville Heat, Sat 8:00pm @ Mackay-  The Meteors season is a tale of the fish that got away.  Round 1 was an exciting time for the team, with new talent and plenty of motivation to go the distance in the usually dominating Pool A.  Plagued by injury and an inability to recuperate has seen the team stagnate towards the lower end of the ladder.  They gave the Heat a real run for their money in Round 1, only 4pts off the win – 91-95.  This time around the Heat shouldn’t have too much trouble, with late addition Pearce on the sidelines and the Heat starting to ramp up for finals.  A win for the Heat will see them host the Quarter Final against the Marlins, regardless of the Marlins results this weekend.  A loss leaves that right swinging in the breeze. 

Gold Coast Goannas v South West Metro Pirates, Sat 8:00pm @ Tallebudgera-  Will we see fireworks again between these two, after the massive quadruple overtime win that the Pirates collected back in Round 6 – 138-124?  There is a chance that this is the last time the Goannas will lace up their boots in ’08.  Pool C has seen some red-hot competition this year with the Thunder still in the hunt for finals as well.  The Pirates are home and hosed and will host a Quarter Final next weekend, but need to hit this game with form so this clash stands to be a chance to put the team on the right foot and on target for a competitive finals series.  Goannas Aucoin, Zauner and Darragh to face off against Cameron, Niesler and Thompson in another Round 16 game that could be replayed as a Quarter Final next weekend.