Women's Previews - Round 5

Rebecca Duke

South Adelaide Panthers v North Adelaide Rockets, Sat, Apr 10, 6:30pm at Marion
South and North are adjusting to life without big-rebounding centres Kerin Webber and Jamie-Lee Peris, with both losses hitting hard. South’s record is somewhat understandable given their tough draw to start the season, and after surviving against Woodville, this game may be the first real chance to evaluate their form. The Rockets’ two wins were a lucky escape against Southern and a comfortable game against Centrals, so this game may also provide a good indication of North’s chances of finishing in the top half.

Central Districts Lions v Southern Tigers, Sat, Apr 10, 6:30pm at Starplex
Winston Folland’s team will again be “battlers” this season. The Lions played well in a 2 point loss to Woodville and also showed some fight in the third quarter against North, but are struggling to hit open shots and finish off around the basket. Amber Land is leading the way and Fiona Perso has been Centrals’ next most reliable rebounder. Willie Jennette’s Tigers will be expecting a better start than the 7-33 horror first quarter deficit to Forestville, though Southern’s three other losses have all been close. Rosalie Cutri has been a great find, and is converting well from the floor, foul line and 3-point line.

Forestville Eagles v Eastern Mavericks, Sat, Apr 10, 6:30pm at Wayville
Forestville has propelled itself to early favourites with its dismantling of Woodville, West, North and Southern. Led by the fiercely determined Jesses Mahony and Fergus, and the adaptable Mia Newley, the Eagles have been running bigger opponents off the floor. Fresh from a 3-week break, Eastern will provide a somewhat different challenge, though without the services of Steph Talbot and Alex Wilson who are at the Under 18 Nationals, a lot will fall on the shoulders of the league’s leading scorer Tess Madgen.

Norwood Flames v West Adelaide Bearcats, Sat, Apr 10, 6:30pm at Mars
Simon Pritchard’s Norwood unit are three week’s removed from a perhaps surprising loss to Sturt, and face a real challenge against the tallest team in the competition. Former Bearcat Kate Shierlaw has been a surprise find, averaging 11 points at 48%. There will be two great front court battles between Sam Woosnam and Rebecca Duke, and Rachael Herrick and Kerrin Webber, who returns from an ankle injury. This game should edge out a number of candidates for “game of the round”.

Sturt Sabres v Woodville Warriors, Sat, Apr 10, 6:30pm at Pasadena
Sturt have come to the end of a three week break so should be well prepared to handle the Warriors. Caroline Burgess is again leading the Sabres, though is ably supported by Bree Farley who is averaging 12.3 points per game in her debut CABL season. Woodville played a great half of basketball against Norwood before giving up 30 points in the third quarter. Brooke Gathercole is averaging a career high 11.8 points per game, and Jodie Barratt again is shouldering the rebounding load in her 11th CABL season.

Eastern Mavericks v Sturt Sabres, Sun, Apr 10, 1:45pm at Adelaide Hills
Prior to this weekend, the Sabres were undefeated and would expect to carry this tag into a top-of-the-table game against Forestville in rivalry week, though the outcome of this game may be influenced by each team’s ability to handle two games in 24 hours. The Mt. Barker crowd provides more of a home court advantage than at most venues, but Eastern may find it difficult to deal with Sturt’s defensive pressure. Look for Sturt’s leading rebounder, Anna Maycock, to perform well against her former club.




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