Women's Elimination Final Preview - Norwood v Southern
(Includes Round 7 & 16 results when the Teams last played)
Norwood v Southern, Sat, July 31st, 7.00pm at Mars
R 7: Norwood 93 (Foley 27, Shierlaw 13) def Southern 65 (Ciabattoni 17, Spencer 13)
R 16: Southern 79 (Cutri 25, Hendrie 10) def Norwood 71 (Gladstone, Hansberry 15)
Prior to their first matchup with Southern in Round 7, Norwood had won 3 out of their first 6 matches dropping games to Sturt, West and North. Southern had a terrible start only beating Centrals from its first seven outings but in that win it registered its highest score of the season - 101 points.
In the Round 7 win against the Tigers, Norwood killed the game off in the first quarter scoring 33-10. Southern did match it with the Flames for the remaining three quarters but the damage had been done.
In the second meeting Southern reversed the result and at one point during the second period the Tigers slipped away to a 16 point buffer, 34-18. Norwood closed to within 6 points late in the last quarter but Southern were able to hold on for the win. Back then, the win kept Southern level with Norwood and North, all three teams were on 9 wins and fighting it out for 4th and 5th spots.
Both clubs enter this match coming off losses last round. Norwood struggled against league leaders Forestville especially in the second quarter when they were outscored 24-8 (they eventually lost that match by 20 points, 59-79). Southern suffered a similar fate when they were well beaten by West Adelaide, particularly in the second half when they were outscored 44-26. Southern lost that match 67-91.
All clubs have been hurt during the season by loss of players through injury or players being unavailable. Norwood has suffered more than most clubs with loss of key players Jess Foley, Rebecca Duke and Zara Olekalns to long term injuries.
Southern has taken a while to find its feet under new Coach Willie Jennette but they have hit their straps in the second half of the season losing only 2 games from their last 11 matches.
Southern has three players in Madelaine Cunningham, Rosalie Cutri and Robyn Jennings who have averaged more than 10 points per game this season, Cunningham the best on 13.5ppg. Norwood enters this sudden death playoff with only centre Rachel Herrick in that position. She has averaged 11.5ppg and 9.5 rebounds in the 17 minor round games that she has played this season.
Southern appears to have more players capable of posting a winning score but a great battle looms with no prizes for coming second.
Last Modified on 31/07/2010 10:59
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.