North Adelaide Rockets  vs  West Adelaide Bearcats
Women 6:30 PM / Sat 22 Mar Location: Hillcrest (Map)
Officials: B Northcote & H Starkey

The Bearcats will be hoping Kate Shierlaw can build on her strong start to 2014 when they visit the North Adelaide Rockets, in the Match of the Round.

Following a pre-season in which she registered 56 points in four games, Shierlaw scored a career high 25 in the Bearcats’ season-opening 78-64 win over the Eastern Mavericks. Stana Zecevic added 13 in her Bearcat debut.

The Rockets also got off to a winning start to 2014, knocking off the Warriors 83-67. Jo Hill, Jamie-Lee Peris and Jess Smart combined for 46 points.

The Rockets posted two double digit wins against the Bearcats last season, and will be tough to beat on their home court.

 North Adelaide Rockets  vs  West Adelaide Bearcats

Men 8:15PM / Sat 22 Mar Location: Hillcrest (Map)
Officials: A Filmer & A Gillings

The Rockets could not have asked for a much more daunting task to get their season on track, as they attempt to respond from their disappointing Round 1 loss to Woodville with a win over West.

New Coach Nathan Hawkes’ first game in charge resulted in the biggest ever loss for the red and white at St Clair, going down 55-83. Pero Vasiljevic, a regular force in this competition, was held to just 12 points. Brett Collins (10 points) was the only other Rocket in double figures.

The Bearcats showed some good early signs that their heartbreak of 2013, coupled with the loss of Daniel Johnson and Jason Cadee, is now behind them. They defeated the Mavericks 95-74, with Tristan Braithwaite (21 points) and Anthony Spadavecchia (19 points) dominant. Neither scored more than 17 last campaign.

The Bearcats easily accounted for the Rockets both times in 2013, and the Round 1 results of each club suggest a similar scenario is probable.

 South Adelaide Panthers vs  Woodville Warriors

Women 6:30 PM / Sat 22 Mar / Location: Marion (Map)
Officials: R Rochford & G Haines

Following arguably their best victory in many years, the Panthers will attempt to equal their 2013 win tally when they meet the Woodville Warriors at Marion.

Led by 30 points apiece from Teresa Kinross and Janae Howard, along with a near triple-double from Jessica Mahony, the Panthers defeated the Forestville Eagles 82-62. It was a 44 point turnaround from when these teams last met, and the Panthers’ first win over the Eagles since March 24, 2007.

The Warriors finished 2013 strongly, but were unable to carry that form into the start of this year, losing to North Adelaide 67-83. Carmen Reynolds was a shining light with a game-high 21 points.

The Warriors swept this series last season, but the Panthers are already looking a stronger side this season, and if they can repeat their Round 1 performance, it will be an uphill task for the green and gold.

 South Adelaide Panthers  vs  Woodville Warriors

Men 8:15 PM / Sat 22 Mar / Location: Marion (Map)
Officials: N Ireland & M Harris

You would think a player who can carry a side to its first finals appearance in eight years would be difficult to replace?

Maybe not - when the replacement is Alexander Starling.

Stepping into the big shoes of Aaron Wyatt, Starling scored 23 points to lead the Warriors to an 83-55 win over the Rockets at St Clair. It was the perfect way to respond to last season’s Preliminary Final exit.

While the Warriors were the second-biggest winners of Round 1, this week’s opponent, the Panthers, were the largest losers. They went down 61-97 to Forestville, with Shane Boal (16 points) their top scorer.

The Warriors’ last visit to South resulted in a 20 point win. Going by the early signs of 2014, a repeat of such a result seems realistic.

 Norwood Flames vs Southern Tigers

Women 6:30 PM / Sat 22 Mar / Location: Mars (Map)
Officials: N Frost & M Pepicelli

The Flames will be chasing a 24^th consecutive triumph when they host the Southern Tigers at Mars, in what will be their first home game since their 2013 premiership.

Behind Amy Lewis’ 14 points and Kelsey Irelands’ 13, the Flames leapt straight back to the top of the ladder thanks to a big win over Sturt. It was the first game since the 2012 Grand Final for Ireland and Rachel Herrick, while Georgia Minear debuted with 7 points.

After scoring just 62 points in 13 2013 games, Shayde Quintrell had a career night with 30 points and 8 rebounds in the Tigers’ 81-70 Round 1 win over the Lions. Haley Bunce and Jade Barber added 15 and 12 respectively.

The Tigers’ last win over the Flames was back in the 2011 Elimination Final. Both sides have gone on different paths since, and it will take something special for the yellow and black to win their first game at Mars in three years.

 Norwood Flames vs Southern Tigers

Men 8:15 PM / Sat 22 Mar / Location: Mars (Map)
Officials: M Frost & A Just

In the Match of the Round, the Tigers will be attempting to double up on last year’s rare win at Mars when they visit the Norwood Flames.

Last time they were in the Flames’ building, the Tigers upset the red and blue 79-77. The previous time at Mars, Todd Matthews (who did not play last year) hit the game-winning three as Norwood stole a one point victory. The stage is set for a cliff-hanger.

Following an improved 2013, the Tigers got off to the perfect start this year, defeating Centrals 99-84 in Round 1. Led by their Samuels, McDaniel and Johns (44 points collectively), the Tigers posted the second-highest score of the opening stanza.

In contrast, the Flames conceded the most points in Round 1, losing 98-100 to Sturt in overtime. Ian O’Boyle and Keith Krause combined for nine threes and 40 points, with Matthews adding 18.

With their sweep of the Flames last season and their good start to 2014, the odds should be with the Tigers.

Central Districts Lions vs Forestville Eagles

Women 6:30 PM / Sat 22 Mar / Location: Starplex (Map)

Officials: J Cresp & N Passey

It was only 2012 when Centrals and Forestville last played finals against one another, but if either is to make any noise this season, then this week’s clash is a must win game.

The Lions were ruined 70-81 by Southern in Round 1, despite 13 points from Aimee Herriman and 12 from Amy Onaca. It was their third straight loss overall to the yellow and black.

The Eagles, who had previously been South’s bogey team perhaps more so than any other rival club, went down to the Panthers 62-82. The best efforts of Jess Fergus (17 points) and Jade Johnson (15 points) were just not enough on this night.

On paper, the Eagles have a stronger line-up, but it is already clear they cannot afford to take anyone lightly this year.

Central Districts Lions vs Forestville Eagles

Men 8:15 PM / Sat 22 Mar / Location: Starplex (Map)

Officials: N Wieland & J Grigoul

The Lions will be keen to ensure last week’s loss to Southern is not a sign of things to come, starting with their Round 2 blockbuster against Forestville.

After being the surprise of all surprises in 2013, the Lions’ winning streak against their rivals from the far south came to an end. The loss was in spite of Chris Clausen (29 points) and Kyle Miller (27 points) posting two of the top three individual scores of the round.

The round high scorer was Eagle Jake Rios, who posted 33 points in the Eagles’ 36 point win over South. The Eagles’ 41 point win over the Lions at Starplex in Round 11 last season has started a run of 10 wins in 13 matches for Andy Simons’ men, after starting 2013 just 6-4.

Expect a closer game this time, although the Lions will have to lift defensively if they are any chance of repeating their 2013 Anzac Day upset, when they beat the Eagles at Wayville.

Eastern Mavericks vs  Sturt Sabres

Women 1:15 PM / Sun 23 Mar / Location: Adelaide Hills (Map)
Officials: H Starkey & M Pepicelli

Super Sunday is back, with the Eastern Mavericks women hosting the Sturt Sabres at the special time of 1.15pm.

Both teams began Season 2014 in negative fashion.The Mavericks went down to the Bearcats, despite the best efforts of Emma Hooley (18 points, 13 rebounds) and Shannon Tarran (16 points). The Mavs had swept this match-up in 2013.

The Sabres were demolished by the Flames, which was somewhat predictable, given the Sabres’ outs and the Flames’ ins.  Hannah Richards was the only Sabre to reach double digit scoring, finishing with 11.

Both teams won their respective home match last season, although with so many changes to each side, the outcome of this game remains wide open.
 

Eastern Mavericks vs  Sturt Sabres

Men 3:00 PM / Sun 23 Mar / Location: Adelaide Hills (Map)
Officials: V Devlin & N Ireland

Super Sunday continues with the Mavericks’ men taking on the Sabres at 3pm in the Hills.
The Sabres will need to make sure not even the smallest hint of complacency creeps into their game, after suffering arguably the most significant loss of any club, to the Mavericks, late last season.

Going into their Round 15 clash, the Sabres had won seven of 10, while the Mavericks had not beaten anyone. Yet, the Sabres succumbed to a 14 point defeat, and ended the season one game outside of the top five.

Unlike 2013, the Sabres commenced this year with a win, defeating Norwood by two in a match that went beyond regulation. Debutant Garry Moore finished with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists. Hamish Burns added 18.

The rebuilding Mavericks suffered their (seemingly) annual loss at Port Adelaide. Succumbing to the Bearcats, Curtis Scipio was a standout with 23 points.

Despite their recent demoralising loss to the men in grey, the Sabres have a strong history in this building, and should make it 2-0.