Southern Tigers (7-3, 4th) v Norwood Flames (9-1, 1st)
Sunday June 24, 1.15pm at Morphett Vale

In Sunday’s Match of the Round, the Southern Tigers will be trying to maintain their unbeaten home form when they battle the Norwood Flames.

Despite only three home games compared to seven away games, the Tigers still have the second most wins in the competition – not a bad record for a club that finished 2011 in eighth. If they can beat the Panthers on Saturday, they will enter this match at 8-3. However, two losses this weekend would see them lose ground at the top and fall to 7-5.

This will be the second game of a tough double-header for the Flames, who have the red-hot Rockets the previous night. If they can take both games, the Flames will be 11-1 and have one hand on the minor premiership, yet two losses would have them under duress from the Tigers, Rockets, Eagles and possibly the Lions.

The last time they met, it was a 78-61 triumph from the Flames. Jess Foley had 27 points and 8 rebounds, while Rachel Herrick had 10 and 17. Alexandra Ciabattoni registered 26 points and 9 rebounds for the losing team, who were without Ashleigh Spencer (11 ppg, 6.5 rpg).

With an easier fixture the previous night, the Tigers are a great chance of a win here.

West Adelaide Bearcats (2-8, 9th) v South Adelaide Panthers (1-9, 10th)
Sunday June 24, 1.15pm at Port Adelaide

The West Adelaide Bearcats will be attempting a series sweep of the South Adelaide Panthers when the teams fight it out at Port Adelaide on Sunday.

The Bearcats’ 63-47 win over the Panthers at Marion in Round 3 was one of just two victories they have achieved this season. Narelle Van Leuven scored 26 points that night, adding 6 boards. Kate Shierlaw had 16 rebounds and 13 points. For the Panthers, Nicole Brown scored 12 and Lauren Gibbons 11.

A win here could potentially be a third straight for the Bearcats, with a date with the Warriors the night before. However, two losses could see them rock bottom.

The Panthers have a tough ask on Saturday, with a trip to Morphett Vale against the Southern Tigers on the cards. Two wins and they will be off the bottom of the ladder, but two losses would see them staring down the barrel of the wooden spoon.

Following their Round 3 victory, the Bearcats should start favourites for this match.

Central District Lions (6-4, 5th) v Sturt Sabres (2-8, 8th)
Sunday June 24, 1.15pm at Starplex

After a long trip to the south-east on Saturday, the Central District Lions will be back home to meet the Sturt Sabres on Sunday.

Prior to this weekend, the Lions were on a three game losing streak, so will be keen to put a couple of victories together to cement their spot in the top five. However, failure to do so and all their efforts over the first seven weeks will have come unstuck, and that sensational run of six straight victories will be history.

Any hope the Sabres had of making a finals push took a severe dent with their loss against the Bearcats. Two victories would clean up the damage somewhat, but another couple of losses and the Sabres could be rock bottom.

Last time they met, the Lions broke their Pasadena hoodoo with a 77-55 triumph. Elizabeth Keane had 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 steals for the Lions, while Jess Mahony had 17 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Ashleigh Bow had 13 points and 9 rebounds for the Sabres, who did not have Caroline Burgess in the line-up at that stage.

Ultimately, the Lions should get the W despite their worrying recent form.

Forestville Eagles (7-3, 3rd) v Woodville Warriors (3-6, 7th)
Sunday June 23, 1.15pm at Wayville

It will take a few upset wins for the Woodville Warriors to make the finals, with no greater challenge than Sunday’s fixture with the Forestville Eagles.

If the Warriors can beat the Bearcats on Saturday, they will be 4-6 prior to tip-off, with a chance to improve to 5-6. However, two losses and it is season over.

An Eagles win over the Sabres would see them enter the round at 8-3, with an opportunity to go 9-3. A 9-3 record would put them in the hunt for top spot, but at 7-5 they will be playing for a lower seed.

In Round 3, the Eagles defeated the Warriors 74-59. Olivia Thompson had 31 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists for the Eagles, while Katherine Perkas scored 15 for the Warriors.

The Warriors have generally struggled against the stronger teams and this should be no exception.

North Adelaide Rockets (7-2, 2nd) v Eastern Mavericks (5-5, 6th)
Sunday June 24, 3.00pm at Hillcrest

The Rockets will be in for a strenuous night with the Flames on Saturday, and the Mavericks will be anything but a cakewalk. The Rockets could be as healthy as 9-2 by the end of the round and possibly be top or be down to 7-4 and as low as fifth, so much hinges on both of their games.

The Mavs have the Lions the previous night, so hence have a double-header against two potential finals outfits. They will likely be 5-7 at the end of the round, but if they can steal a win, then they will be right in the hunt for a top five spot.

Last time they met, the Mavs gave the Rockets a real run for their money, but fell five points short. The Rockets got home despite missing their three best players – Jo Hill, Jamie-Lee Peris and Lauren Mansfield – with double-doubles from Kirsty Williams and Jess Smart invaluable. Madgen had 23 points and 20 rebounds, while Lauren Wright had 13 points.

With home court advantage, the Rockets will be kicking themselves if they fail to win this one.

By James Woite