Round 18 Preview: Men and Women
Writer - James Woite
Men
Norwood Flames (14-3) v Eastern Mavericks (6-11)
After losing to Forestville last week, the Mavericks badly need a win over Norwood at Mars to stay in the finals race.
The Mavericks failed second half comeback leaves them three games outside the top five, with only five matches to play.
Elsewhere, the Flames overcame Sturt in overtime to remain on the same number of wins as ladder leaders Woodville.
The Flames lead the season series 1-0.
Sturt Sabres (8-9) v South Adelaide Panthers (9-8)
In the Match of the Round, the Sabres and Panthers will battle it out at Pasadena, in a clash that could be crucial in deciding fifth place.
The Panthers won the previous meeting between these teams 87-84, meaning the Sabres need a three point win to tie the season series, while a four point win would give them the split.
The Panthers are one game ahead of the Sabres in the standings.
The Sabres fell in overtime to Norwood last week, while the Panthers snuck home against the Centrals.
The Sabres have a superior home record against the Panthers.
Central District Lions (4-13) v West Adelaide Bearcats (11-6)
The Bearcats will be hoping for a win to maintain their cushion for third place, when they visit the Lions at Starplex.
The Bearcats are just one game ahead of North in the standings, after losing to that opponent last week. The Bearcats hold the series tiebreaker on point differential.
The Lions’ finals chances are now officially over, following their loss to South.
The Bearcats lead the season series 1-0.
Southern Tigers (1-16) v North Adelaide Rockets (10-7)
The Rockets will be on the verge of a return to the postseason, should they defeat the Tigers at Morphett Vale.
After their win over West last round, the Rockets are one game above fifth placed South, and two games higher than the teams in sixth and seventh.
The Tigers’ loss to Woodville was their 16th defeat from 17 fixtures.
The Rockets lead the season series 1-0.
Eastern Mavericks (6-11) v South Adelaide Panthers (9-8)
The Mavericks and Panthers will face a second game this weekend, when they go head-to-head on Sunday at Adelaide Hills.
The Mavericks will either be 7-11 or 6-12 ahead of tipoff, depending on the result of their game against Norwood.
The Panthers will be 10-8 should they beat Sturt, but 9-9 if they lose.
The Mavericks lead the season series 1-0.
Forestville Eagles (8-9) v Woodville Warriors (14-3)
The Eagles will continue their push for yet another finals appearance, when they host the Warriors at Wayville.
The Eagles have made it to the postseason more times than any other club in the last decade. Yet, they could be three wins below South before the start of this match. If so, a loss to the Warriors would set the Eagles a task of winning their final four games, coupled with South losing all three of theirs, to reappear in the finals.
The Warriors defeated Southern last week to maintain first place, while the Eagles held off Eastern.
The Warriors lead the season series 1-0.
Women
Norwood Flames (17-0) v Eastern Mavericks (8-9)
In the Match of the Round, the Mavericks will look to continue their late postseason surge, when they visit the Flames at Mars.
After a bleak patch midseason, the Mavericks have rallied to within one game of the top five, following their three point win over Forestville.
The Flames stretched their unbeaten run to 17 games, by defeating Sturt.
The Flames lead the season series 1-0.
Sturt Sabres (9-8) v South Adelaide Panthers (7-10)
The Sabres can just about end the Panthers’ finals hopes, in this week’s head-to-head clash at Pasadena.
The Sabres are fourth on a tiebreaker from West, after falling to Norwood last round.
The Panthers are two games behind in seventh, after just getting up against Centrals.
The Panthers lead the season series 1-0.
Central District Lions (2-15) v West Adelaide Bearcats (9-8)
Two of the league’s most improved performers will do battle at Starplex this weekend, with the Lions taking on the Bearcats.
The Lions have been much more competitive in the second half of the season, as illustrated by their close loss to South last weekend.
The Bearcats have won five in succession, following their upset victory over North.
The Bearcats lead the season series 1-0.
Southern Tigers (5-12) v North Adelaide Rockets (12-5)
The Tigers will need to double their current 2015 win total over their five remaining matches, starting with this week’s home clash against the Rockets.
A loss to Woodville last round has almost guaranteed another year without finals for the yellow and black.
The Rockets have a sizeable lead in second, despite their loss to West last week.
The Rockets lead the season series 1-0.
Eastern Mavericks (8-9) v South Adelaide Panthers (7-10)
The Mavericks and Panthers will meet for the second time this season, on Sunday at Adelaide Hills.
The Mavericks will enter the match at 9-9 or 8-10, depending on whether they can upset Norwood on Saturday.
The Panthers will be 8-10 or 7-11, which will be determined by their result against Sturt on Saturday.
The Panthers lead the season series 1-0.
Forestville Eagles (6-11) v Woodville Warriors (10-7)
The Eagles may be facing the prospect of a season-ending loss, when they come up against the Warriors on Sunday.
The Eagles could start the round four wins out of the top five, should West and Sturt win their respective games against Centrals and South.
The Eagles would have been in a better position to make a last gasp run for the finals, had they have overcome Eastern last round.
The Warriors are on the verge of sealing a rare postseason appearance, thanks to their win over Southern last weekend.
The Eagles lead the season series 1-0.
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