Sturt Sabres (15-3) v North Adelaide Rockets (13-5)

LAST WEEK
Sturt
The Sabres had the bye, after upsetting Norwood in the Second Semi Final 67-65. Angela Marino and Natalie Novosel combined for 43 points. The Sabres have accomplished the incredible feat of finishing the year 10-0 as the away team.

North
After two heart-breaking Grand Final defeats to the Flames in the past two seasons, the Rockets finally got one back by shocking the red and the blue 81-72. Jo Hill and Jamie-Peris were solid, but it was Jess Smart with 23 points off the bench who stole the show.

KEY STATISTICAL PERFORMERS (finals)
Scorers:
Sturt: Natalie Novosel 21.5 ppg; Angela Marino 19.5 ppg
North: Jamie-Lee Peris 17.7 ppg; Jo Hill 15.0 ppg

Rebounders:
Sturt: Natalie Novosel 12.0 rpg; Lucy Spalding 9.0 rpg
North: Jamie-Lee Peris 13.7 rpg; Jo Hill 11.0 rpg

Assisters:
Sturt: Angela Marino 4.5 apg; Lucy Spalding 2.5 apg
North: Jo Hill 3.0 apg; Kirsty Williams 1.7 apg

X-FACTOR
Sturt:
Hannah Richards. Richards had a good game with 12 points when the Sabres defeated the Rockets in the First Semi Final, but attempted just five shots and scored 6 points in the defeat of Norwood. With Novosel out, Richards performance will take on added significance.

North:
Jess Smart. Smart had a quiet game in the First Semi Final win over South, but has otherwise been an excellent number three option for the Rockets of late. Smart’s scored 13 and 23 points in the other two finals. If Smart can be active and efficient, then it will take a lot of pressure off Hill and Peris.

HEAD-TO-HEAD
Round 3: North 71 def Sturt 45 @ Pasadena
Round 12: Sturt 77 def North 60 @ Hillcrest
QF: Sturt 57 def North 52 @ Pasadena

VERDICT
The Sabres burned the Rockets in the Qualifying Final last season, only to lose to them in the Preliminary Final when it mattered so much more. Novosel and Marino took over from Hannah Bowley and Molly Lewis, but without Novosel, can the Rockets turn the tables on the Sabres 2.0? Get set for a thrilling battle with baskets hard to come by.