Eastern Mavericks (1-17, 10th) v North Adelaide Rockets (9-8, 6th)
Saturday August 3, 8.15pm at Adelaide Hills

In the Match of the Round, the Eastern Mavericks have the chance to shape the top five when they host the North Adelaide Rockets.

Following their loss to Centrals, there is no guarantee the Rockets will play finals. If Sturt loses to West, the Rockets are guaranteed finals. However, if Sturt defeats West, then the Rockets will have to beat the Mavericks or else surrender the fifth seed – unless in the case that South upsets Centrals, which puts a whole different perspective in proceedings!

The Rockets have won their last three at Adelaide Hills and also defeated the Mavericks earlier this season. The Mavericks have been blown out in their last two games, but prior to that, they claimed the title of being the biggest winners over Sturt at Pasadena this season.

With a superior record, the Rockets are the favourites, but in a season of twists and turns, do not be surprised if an upset happens.

Norwood Flames (6-11, 8th) v Forestville Eagles (11-6, 3rd)
Saturday July 3, 8.15pm at Mars

It is rare for a Norwood v Forestville matchup to have nothing on the line.

But after years of Grand Finals, elimination games, blockbuster regular season matchups and huge plays from Andrew Webber, both teams know their destiny.

The Flames will finish eighth and the Eagles third. The Flames have lost their last three, but should be keen for a big finish. The Eagles will visit Woodville in the Qualifying Final next week, after losing to the Warriors at home in Round 17.

A good chance for the youngsters to step up here. Whoever wants to win more will win.

West Adelaide Bearcats (15-2, 1st) v Sturt Sabres (9-8, 5th)
Saturday August 3, 8.15pm at Port Adelaide

Almost three years ago, the Bearcats suffered a heart-breaking Grand Final loss to Sturt.

In 2011, the Bearcats gathered some redemption by knocking the Sabres out of the competition in the First Semi Final.

And now, the Bearcats and Sabres will continue to develop their rivalry with another clutch fixture.

The result does not mean anything in terms of where the Bearcats finish, nor will it the Sabres if the Rockets win. However, the door is still slightly ajar for the Sabres to make an unprecedented finals appearance, despite starting the season 1-4.

Last time they met, the Sabres led for a good portion of the game and only ended up losing by six points to the Bearcats. They have nothing to fear.

Given Sturt’s history of winning when it matters most, let’s tip the Sabres here!

Woodville Warriors (14-3, 2nd) v Southern Tigers (8-9, 7th)
Saturday August 3, 8.15pm at St Clair

When the Tigers last visited St Clair, they put the first arrow through the heart of a Warrior team that was competing for a finals spot.

This time, the Warriors have little to worry about.

The Warriors will return to the postseason for the first time since winning the premiership in 2005. They posted 12 regular season wins that year, but have grabbed 14 this year ahead of their final game.

The Tigers’ big win over Eastern means they will finish with their best record in the last nine years. A win against the Warriors and they will end the year 9-9 – a record that could or would have resulted in finals in 05, 07, 08 and 09.

The Warriors have lost just once since Round 7 and will be keen to keep the momentum flowing ahead of next week’s Qualifying Final against Forestville. 

Central District Lions (10-7, 4th) v South Adelaide Panthers (2-15, 9th)
Saturday August 3, 8.15pm at Starplex

After a long journey, with a few hiccups either side of a long list of scalps, the Lions can enjoy a virtual dead rubber match with South before playing in their first final in the last nine years. 

There is a slim chance the Lions can finish fifth, however, only a loss to South could make that happen, regardless of what happens in other games. The Lions’ 6-3 road record suggests they would not mind being the visiting team for a final anyway.

The Panthers are coming off a 35 point loss to West, but can be buoyed by their performance in the first three quarters of their last meeting with the Lions. Despite being without Jordan Robertson and Shane Boal and boasting just a six player rotation, the Panthers led the Lions 67-60. Unfortunately, they were unable to maintain the same pace in the fourth quarter where they were outscored 8-30.

With no pressure on them for the first time in a long while, the Lions should score a lot of points and claim another big win.