Norwood Flames (17-1, 1st) v West Adelaide Bearcats (12-6, 3rd), 6.30 pm @ Mars

The Norwood Flames will host the West Adelaide Bearcats in the Second Semi Final at Mars on Saturday, with the winner to go through to the Grand Final.

For the loser, it is not season over, but a tough match against either Sturt or Forestville awaits.

The Bearcats are the more experienced club in terms of finals appearances over the last couple of seasons.

West made it through to the Grand Final last season and was eliminated in the Preliminary the season before, while Norwood has played only three finals games in the past two years.

However, the 2011 Flames are a much different story, and are every chance of being the first Norwood women premiers in 11 years.

The Flames are coming off a much-deserved week off, after finishing the season 17-1.

Jess Foley has starred this season, averaging 18.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg and 4.1 apg in 17 games.

Foley has shot the ball at 46 per cent from the field, 36 per cent from downtown, and 80 per cent from the foul-line, and is a solid chance of winning her first Halls Medal.

She has been well-supported by Kelsey Ireland (12 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.3 apg).

The former Eagle, who was part of the team that defeated the Bearcats in the 2010 Grand Final, has been an excellent recruit for Simon Pritchard’s team, running the show offensively and playing well at the defensive end.

Nadeen Payne has averaged 15.5 ppg at 54 per cent, 6 rpg and 1.6 apg in eight appearances, while Rachel Herrick (8.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.5 apg) is a strong interior player.

Stephanie Talbot and Lisa Ackroyd are both strong defenders, while Jordan Walker-Roberts (7.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.3 apg) finished the regular season in fine touch.

Phoebe Custance, Chelsea Roberts, Cara Boothey and Kate Shierlaw have all played every game and add great depth in the rotation.

West also has plenty of talent and depth on its roster.

The Bearcats were on top for most of the game against Sturt, taking advantage of its depleted opponent to win 59-51.

West led by 10 at half-time, before being outscored 7-20 in the third quarter and losing the lead.

However, the Bearcats responded well in the last by scoring 19 of the game’s last 27 points for a 59-51 win.

It was the second time in as many seasons that the ’Cats defeated Sturt at Pasadena in the Qualifying Final.

The wildcard was Trudy Holland, who had her best game for the season.

After scoring no more than 12 points in any of her regular season matches, Holland, who played the entire 40 minutes for the first time this year, stepped up with a game-high 18 points, adding 12 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a block.

Nikita-Lee Martin was also not substituted and finished with 17 points, 7 boards and 2 blocks, while Ashlea Vordermaier registered 8 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists.

Irene Sourlatzis added 9 points and Kerrin Webber, who only attempted three field goals, had 5 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks.

Norwood won both its matches against West Adelaide, winning 81-60 at Port Adelaide in Round 9, and getting home 65-54 at Mars in the final round.

I believe the Bearcats have the ability to cause an upset, but I think the Flames will get the job done in their home building.

By James Woite