Central District Lions (12-6, 4th) v Eastern Mavericks (10-8, 5th)
Saturday August 11, 6.30pm at Starplex

Who would have thought?

The Eastern Mavericks were winless in 2011. 12 months later, they are in the final five!

And of all the opponents they could be facing – their predecessors! It’s 2010’s winless side, the Central District Lions, playing host to their successors, the Eastern Mavericks, in a cut-throat Elimination Final.

Sport is renowned for throwing up David v Goliath matches, but would you believe, this time it is David v David? Or how about Jess v Tess?

Since the Lions recruited former Halls Medallist Jess Mahony, they have been a force to be reckoned with. After averaging career-high figures of 9.2 rpg and 8.9 apg last season, to go with 12.3 ppg, Mahony has stepped up her scoring this year to 14.9 ppg, her best output since 2002. The Lions are 21-16 since Mahony joined, a phenomenal record for a club that, for 15 years, struggled to win any games at all.

On the flip-side, Tess Madgen has been the instigator in the Mavs’ revolution. Madgen won the Halls Medal two years ago with the Mavericks, before spending 2011 as a member of the Sturt Sabres.

She returned to the Mavericks for the start of this season, and the fortunes of both clubs changed as a result. While the Sabres struggled to a seventh-placed finish, the Mavericks have won 10 of 15 since a 0-3 start. Madgen was not in uniform for three of those losses. In 15 appearances, she has averaged 30.9 ppg, 14.7 rpg, 5.1 apg and 2.9 spg.

Mahony has been well-supported this season by Elizabeth Keane (14.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg), Desinta Cummins (9.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.1 apg), Fiona Perso (6.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and Taya Crockford (6.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg). Although Madgen’s teammates have not been quite as strong statistically, they stood up when it mattered most and have played their part in getting this team to the postseason.

The Mavericks’ Round 13 fixture against the Southern Tigers at Morphett Vale was arguably the club’s most important regular season game ever. At the time, the Mavericks were three games behind the Tigers for fifth spot, so a loss would likely have ended their season. When the Mavericks lost Madgen to concussion in the first half, they were surely down and out?

Yet against all odds, the Mavericks got home 76-71 and turned their season on its head. Shannon Tarran could not have chosen a better night to score a career-high 18 point. The same applies to Jaimi Rock, whose 13 points were a personal best. It was also Jemma Thacker’s (12 points) highest score until her 15 against Woodville two weeks ago.

For all the Mavericks’ heroics, they have been unable to beat the Lions this season. In Round 2, 30 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists from Madgen were not enough to prevent a 64-79 defeat. The Lions’ top-scorer that night was D’Lesha Lloyde (21 points), who now plies her trade with Bulleen in the SEABL. Keane and Cummins had 16 apiece and Mahony 14 in the Lions’ triumph.

As a team, the Lions were on top in several key areas. They shot 49% from the field compared to the Mavericks’ 40%, forced eight extra turnovers and held a 42-26 rebounding edge. Some excellent three-point shooting from the Mavericks enabled them to keep the scoreline respectable.

In Round 11, the Mavericks were without Madgen and it showed on the scoreboard, with a 46-71 loss. No Maverick scored in double-figures, while the Lions registered two via Keane (14 points) and Crockford (13 points). Again, the Lions’ field goal shooting, rebounding and ball control were pivotal in their victory, while the Mavericks resorted to perimeter play.

The potential line-ups for this Saturday’s game suggest the Mavericks are in a better position to beat the Lions than they were in either regular season clash. However, where the Mavericks have already overachieved, the Lions will still be reeling from last year’s heartbreak Elimination Final loss to Forestville - where they gave up an 11 point lead with a quarter to play and lost by three. The Mavericks will be dangerous as they have nothing to lose, but it is difficult to see the Lions letting another one slip.

By James Woite