West Adelaide Bearcats (12-6, 3rd) v Forestville Eagles (12-6, 4th), 6.30 pm Saturday @ Port Adelaide

The Bearcats will be hoping to avenge their run of finals failure against Forestville in the Preliminary Final at Port Adelaide on Saturday.

West has been comprehensively eliminated by the Eagles in its last two finals campaigns, despite being favourites to win on both occasions.

Last year, the Bearcats got off to a 0-13 start, and were beaten 54-73.

West had beaten Forestville only two weeks prior, however they never looked like repeating that result.

In Season 2009, the Bearcats finished Minor Premiers, but after losing the Second Semi Final, were thrashed at home by Forestville, who won the Grand Final the following week.

West looked like avoiding the Eagles, at least for one more week, for much of last Saturday’s 69-70 2OT defeat to Norwood in its third straight Second Semi Final appearance.

The Bearcats led by 11 in the second quarter and 10 in the third, but allowed the Flames to get back into the game.

They also had opportunities to seal the game in the final seconds of regulation and 1OT, but failed to push their lead out above one possession, either due to a turnover or missed free throws.

In the end, Norwood star Jess Foley was fouled and hit a free throw for the win.

Kerrin Webber was the best for West with 22 points, 16 rebounds and 5 blocks, although she did have 9 turnovers.

Ashlea Vordermaier (17 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, 5 blocks) and Trudy Holland (6 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists) were also very good.

Nikita-Lee Martin fouled out in regulation after 14 points and 7 rebounds, while Amy Porter and Irene Sourlatzis suffered injuries during the game.

The Bearcats had 23 extra free throws, but also 14 more turnovers.

After a fortuitous victory over the Central District Lions in the Elimination Final, the Eagles hit top form against Sturt in the First Semi Final, downing the Sabres 72-58.

Despite Point Guard Monica Bello being sidelined with injury, Forestville came away with a big win against the only team it did not beat in the regular season.

The Eagles took control with a 17-2 run late in the first and was never headed thereafter.

Forestville is one of only two teams to beat all nine rivals at least once, with Norwood being the other.

The Eagles shot 39 per cent from the field to its opponent’s 29 per cent, and had 17 extra rebounds.

Carla Borrego had game-highs of 22 points, 17 rebounds and 2 blocks, while Georgia Minear scored 20 points and pulled down 10 boards.

Megan Kermond was moved into the starting five and scored a season-high 10 points, while Jess Fergus may have only managed 6 points on 2/13 shooting, but hit the biggest shot of the game with 1.21 remaining.

Fergus’ three-pointer gave Forestville a 10 point advantage, ending all hope of a Sturt comeback.

She also had 9 rebounds and 4 assists.

An Eagles win would keep alive their hopes of a three-peat.

West and Forestville split their regular season clashes one-all this season.

The Bearcats crushed the Eagles 75-44 in Round 5, but Forestville produced a 41 point turnaround by winning the Round 11 encounter 69-59.

The key battle for this match will be between Centres Webber and Borrego.

Webber is the only centre to have outshone Borrego since the netballer entered the league.

Last time they met, Webber had 21 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 blocks, compared to Borrego’s 17 points, 7 rebounds, 0 assists and 2 blocks.

However, Webber played 36 minutes to 21, mainly because Borrego was in foul trouble, and also had 18 shot attempts to 12.

West will also look to shut down Minear, while the Eagles will hope to keep Martin quiet. 

The Bearcats were impressive last week despite their loss, and if they can replicate that performance, then they should be able to give themselves another crack at the Flames next week.

By James Woite