North Adelaide Rockets (9-7, 5th) v Central District Lions (9-7, 4th)
Saturday July 27, 8.15pm at Hillcrest

In the Match of the Round, a finals berth beckons for the winner of North Adelaide and Centrals.

Last time they met, the Rockets got up by two, so the Lions need to win by three points or greater to secure the season series and earn a home final. With the Rockets against Eastern (1-15) next week and the Lions taking on South (2-14), it seems a foregone conclusion that these teams will feature in the Elimination Final.

But in a season of twists and turns, nothing can be taken for granted!

The Rockets had Anthony Petrie back from international duty for last week’s matches with Forestville and Southern, while Ryan Franceschinis has had three games of 19+ points in his last five appearances. Pero Vasilijevic will be a threat as per always.

The Lions got just 4 points from Kyle Miller in their Round 16 triumph over Norwood, but Christopher Clausen (18 points, 14 rebounds) and four others scored in double figures as the Lions totalled 84 points.

With Petrie back, the Rockets should be able to finalise a playoff spot.

South Adelaide Panthers (2-14, 9th) v West Adelaide Bearcats (14-2, 1st)
Saturday July 27, 8.15pm at Marion

West Adelaide can book a week off in the first round of finals action with a win over South Adelaide.

Only two losses to the Bearcats coupled with two wins to the Warriors would knock the Bearcats down to second. Since Round 5 last year, the Panthers’ only wins have been against the Eastern Mavericks.

Last time they met, the Bearcats prevailed over the Panthers 79-55. The Bearcats were without Daniel Johnson, but got double figure points from Blake Truslove, Patrick Thomas, Tristan Braithwaite and Anthony Spadavecchia. Thomas McKenzie (23 points) and Jordan Robertson (14 points) top-scored for the Panthers.

The Bearcats have as many away wins as home ones, but the margins have been significantly smaller, so this could be a reasonably close game.

Southern Tigers (7-9, 7th) v Eastern Mavericks (1-15, 10th)
Saturday July 27, 8.15pm at Morphett Vale

Following an incredible weekend, the Eastern Mavericks will come up against a Southern Tigers side that no longer has anything but pride to play for.

Last Saturday, a 33-15 final quarter allowed the Mavericks to overcome in-form finals hopefuls Sturt 90-76 for their first win of 2013. Less than 24 hours later, they were blown out 68-134 (66 points) by Forestville – easily the biggest loss of the season.

Despite missing key players Codey Ellison and Samuel Johns, the Tigers competed hard against top five sides Forestville and North, but fell 12 points short on both occasions - ending any chance they had of making the finals.

In Round 8, it was the Tigers with a 28-12 fourth period and an 86-61 victory away to the Mavericks. Ellison led the way with 23 points and 10 rebounds for his winning side, while Curtis Scipio scored 17 for the Mavericks.

The Tigers will be keen to send off their faithful in style, and should get the W to at least have a chance of finishing .500.

Sturt Sabres (8-8, 6th) v Norwood Flames (6-10, 8th)
Saturday July 27, 8.15pm at Pasadena

Following their unaffordable catastrophic loss to Eastern, the Sturt Sabres must win their last two games and rely on other results going their way if they are to participate in this year’s finals series.

Everything seemed to be going the Sabres’ way when they defeated the high-flying Eagles and held off a ferocious Tigers team to improve their record to 8-6. Yet, poor starts and finishes have cost them dearly in their last two games against Woodville and the previously winless Mavericks.

The Sabres are effectively two games in arrears of Centrals and North, having lost their season series to both teams.

The Flames’ only road wins this season have come at Adelaide Hills and Marion. They can finish seventh if they can win their final two games and the Tigers lose theirs.

In Round 8, the Sabres extinguished the Flames in convincing fashion, 72-51. Adam Gavranovich scored a season best 18 points, while John Marriott, who missed last week’s match, had one of his five double-doubles this season. Edward Millard scored 22 for the Flames.

The Sabres need the win more - though this statement has been made before without translating into a win - and surely they will break through to make it a thrilling final day of CABL action. 

Forestville Eagles (11-5, 3rd) v Woodville Warriors (13-3, 2nd)
Saturday July 27, 8.15pm at Wayville

In a more than likely preview of the 2013 Qualifying Final, the Forestville Eagles and Woodville Warriors will be playing for bragging rights and possible home court advantage in this week’s clash.

If the Eagles win by at least 16 points, they are a chance of stealing home court advantage, depending on the Round 18 results of each side.

The Eagles are coming off a massive 134-68 win over Eastern, where Trent Fildes scored 40. Their total score could be considered a touch small compared to their 152 in 2009, while they fell three points short of the 69 point win on that day. Adam Doyle and Brad Gerlach are the only Eagles to have featured on both occasions.

The Warriors beat South by 20 last week.

Last time they met, the Warriors defeated the Eagles 83-67. That match was significant in that Darren Ng topped 20 points for the first time in a CABL match since crossing back from Sturt. Since then, he has not scored any less than 19.

The Eagles relied heavily on Adam Doyle in that match, but now have Fildes, Adam Gibson, Kane Oakley and Neil Mottram available, while they will be hoping Jake Rios does not get injured in the first quarter again. This added flexibility and versatility should see the Eagles home.