Between-The-Lines: July Part 1
The Premier League’s Feature “Between The Lines” is the sequel to the CABL’s “Beyond Regulation”. By James Woight.
Men
Norwood Flames
2014 Record: 15-6
2015 Record: 15-3 (1st)
Top Scorers: Matthew Lycett 19.4 ppg
Jacob Holmes 15.7 ppg
Andrew Webber 15.3 ppg
Matches to come: Woodville (A), North (H), West (N), Centrals (A)
Summary: The Flames have not lost a game since the last edition of Between-The-Lines. They have found several ways to win, and are getting strong efforts from a variety of performers. Another win this week against Woodville and they will almost certainly win the Minor Premiership. They have a tough run the next three weeks against the three sides directly below them, so they will want to be careful not to give too much away.
Potentially
Crucial Tiebreakers: Trail season series with Woodville 1-0 (-14 pts)
Lead season series with West 1-1 (+4 pts)
Trail season series with North 1-0 (-1 pt)
Preseason Prediction: Top Four
May Prediction: Top Four
Updated Prediction: 1st
Woodville Warriors
2014 Record: 16-4
2015 Record: 14-4 (2nd)
Top Scorers: Mitch Creek 22.7 ppg
Ian Nixson 15.4 ppg
Darren Ng 15.1 ppg
Matches to come: Norwood (H), Sturt (A), South (N), Eastern (H)
Summary: The Warriors are off the top for the first time in a long time, after going down in a one point thriller to Forestville. The difference between them reaching the top and falling short could well be the availability of Mitch Creek – the 36er has only played in 10 of their 18 games this season. After Norwood, the Warriors play two teams fighting for the final playoff spot in South and Sturt, so they not only get some intense games before the finals, but also have the chance to shape the five.
Potentially
Crucial Tiebreakers: Lead season series with Norwood 1-0 (+14 pts)
Won season series with West 2-1
Won season series with North 2-1
Preseason Prediction: Top Two
May Prediction: Top Two
Updated Prediction: 2nd
West Adelaide Bearcats
2014 Record: 14-8
2015 Record: 12-6 (3rd)
Top Scorers: David Sturner 20.35
Peter Crawford 18
Blake Truslove 11.7
Matches to come: South (A), Southern (H), Norwood (N), Forestville (H)
Summary: The Bearcats look good heading into the finals, after finally nabbing a win over Woodville. Their path to another Grand Final should be a little simpler, as they are effectively two games ahead of the fourth placed Rockets (the Bearcats have one extra win, but hold the tiebreaker). Blake Truslove has not played since injuring his ankle against Sturt, but they have been getting good results regardless.
Potentially
Crucial Tiebreakers: Lost season series with Woodville 2-1
Won season series with North 1-1 (+5 pts)
Preseason Prediction: Top Two
Updated Prediction: 3rd
North Adelaide Rockets
2014 Record: 3-15
2015 Record: 11-7 (4th)
Top Scorers: Aric Miller 20.5 ppg
John Wernham 14.4 ppg
Daniel Goodluck 11.3 ppg
Matches to come: Forestville (H), Norwood (A), Centrals (N), Sturt (H)
Summary: The Rockets have one wing on a finals spot, but aren’t quite there yet. They only have two additional wins to the teams ranked 5-7, with four games still to play. That said, they are more likely to jump to third than they are to fall out of the five.
Potentially
Crucial Tiebreakers: Lead season series with Norwood 1-0 (+1 pt)
Lost season series with Woodville 2-1
Lost season series with West 2-1 (-5 pts)
Lost season series with South 2-1
Lead season series with Forestville 1-0 (+8 pts)
Lead season series with Sturt (+9 pts)
Preseason Prediction: Fifth – Eighth
May Prediction: Top Four
Updated Prediction: 4th
South Adelaide Panthers
2014 Record: 7-11
2015 Record: 9-10 (5th)
Top Scorers: Jeremy Smith 23.9 ppg
Jordan Robertson 12.9 ppg
Ryan Gardner 10.6 ppg
Matches to come: West (H), Woodville (N), Southern (H)
Summary: The weekend just gone could prove to define the Panthers’ season for all the wrong reasons. A defeat to Sturt cost the Panthers a two game lead (and the tiebreaker) over a strong finals challenger, and then they got beaten the next day by Eastern (for a second time), who really had nothing to play for. The Panthers are still in the five, but only by virtue of an additional game played. The Panthers have two of the top three in their final three matches, so must produce at least one upset to play finals.
Potentially
Crucial Tiebreakers: Won season series with North 2-1
Won season series with Forestville 2-1
Lost season series with Sturt 1-1 (-13 pts)
Lost season series with Eastern 2-0
Preseason Prediction: Fifth – Eighth
May Prediction: Bottom Three
Updated Prediction: 7th
Forestville Eagles
2014 Record: 11-8
2015 Record: 9-9 (6th)
Top Scorers: Anthony Petrie 24.2 ppg
Adam Doyle 21.3 ppg
Daniel Sims 20.1 ppg
Matches to come: North (A), Centrals (A), Sturt (N), West (A)
Summary: The Eagles not only earned a vital win over Woodville on the weekend, but results elsewhere went their way as well. All of a sudden, with 36er Anthony Petrie in uniform, they are primed to make yet another appearance in the postseason, despite looking like a bottom five outfit for most of this campaign.
Potentially
Crucial Tiebreakers: Trail season series with North 1-0 (-8 pts)
Lost season series with South 2-1
Trail season series with Sturt 1-1 (-8 pts)
Won season series with Eastern 2-0
Preseason Prediction: Third-Sixth
May Prediction: Fifth - Seventh
Updated Prediction: 5th
Sturt Sabres
2014 Record: 9-9
2015 Record: 9-9 (7th)
Top Scorers: Clifford Reed 20.6 ppg
Dylan Rawson 16.1 ppg
Hamish Burns 13.3 ppg
Matches to come: Eastern (A), Woodville (H), Forestville (N), North (A)
Summary: The Sabres have been surging of late. They have won four of five, with their only loss occurring in overtime at ladder-leaders Norwood. They have a great chance to make it to the finals for the first time in three seasons, with their fate now in their own hands.
Potentially
Crucial Tiebreakers: Trail season series with North 1-0 (-9 pts)
Won season series with South 1-1 (+13 pts)
Lead season series with Forestville 1-1 (+8 pts)
Lead season series with Eastern 1-0 (+20 pts)
Preseason Prediction: Fourth – Seventh
May Prediction: Fifth – Seventh
Updated Prediction: 6th
Eastern Mavericks
2014 Record: 3-15
2015 Record: 7-12 (8th)
Top Scorers: DeCorey Jones 20.8 ppg
Adam Gibson 15.8 ppg
Jordan Dodman 13.2 ppg
Matches to come: Sturt (H), Southern (N), Woodville (A)
Summary: It would take a miracle for the Mavericks to wind up in the top five. Despite this, it has been a terrific effort from the Mavericks to get to this position, having won seven of 14 since a 0-5 start. They could have a major say in shaping the five.
Potentially
Crucial Tiebreakers: Won season series with South 2-0
Lost season series with Forestville 2-0
Trail season series with Sturt 1-0 (-20 pts)
Won season series with Centrals 2-1
Preseason Prediction: Bottom Two
May Prediction: Bottom Three
Updated Prediction: 8th
Central District Lions
2014 Record: 12-8
2015 Record: 4-14 (9th)
Top scorers: Christopher Clausen 16.7 ppg
Tyler Kennedy 15.7 ppg
Matthew Atkins 10.8 ppg
Matches to come: Southern (A), Forestville (A), North (N), Norwood (H)
Summary: After two seasons of finals, the Lions have fallen all the way down to the bottom two. They must win all remaining games, coupled with Eastern losing all of theirs, to move up to eighth by season’s end. It is still mathematically possible for the Lions to earn the Wooden Spoon.
Potentially
Crucial Tiebreakers: Lost season series with Eastern 2-1
Lead season series with Southern 1-0 (+1 pt)
Preseason Prediction: Fourth-Seventh
May Prediction: Fifth – Eighth
Updated Prediction: 9th
Southern Tigers
2014 Record: 6-12
2015 Record: 1-17 (10th)
Top Scorers: Marcus Robinson 13.5 ppg
Michael Florance 12.9 ppg
Sam Hemmings 8.8 ppg
Matches to come: Centrals (H), West (A), Eastern (N), South (A)
Summary: The great escape against Eastern remains the Tigers’ only scalp of the season. A loss to Centrals this week, and they will be the official winners of the Wooden Spoon – their first since 2011.
Potentially
Crucial Tiebreakers: Trail season series with Centrals 1-0 (-1 pt)
Preseason Prediction: Bottom Two
May Prediction: Bottom Two
Updated Prediction: 10th
Women
Norwood Flames
2014 Record: 16-4
2015 Record: 18-0 (1st)
Top Scorers: Jessica Foley 18.4 ppg
Jessica Good 13.7 ppg
Taylor Ortlepp 11.6 ppg
Matches to come: Woodville (A), North (H), West (N), Centrals (A)
Summary: The Flames have the Minor Premiership well and truly wrapped up. The only question they have to answer for is if they can carry their regular season form through the finals, which they failed to do last year.
Potentially
Crucial Tiebreakers: N/A
Preseason Prediction: Top Three
May Prediction: Top Two
Updated Prediction: 1st
North Adelaide Rockets
2014 Record: 16-6
2015 Record: 13-5 (2nd)
Top Scorers: Jo Hill 19.9 ppg
Shannon McKay 13.8 ppg
Jamie-Lee Peris 11.2 ppg
Matches to come: Forestville (H), Norwood (A), Centrals (N), Sturt (H)
Summary: With a double chance all but sealed, the Rockets are in an excellent position to challenge for the title. Their matchup with Norwood next week could be a Grand Final preview.
Potentially
Crucial Tiebreakers: Won season series with Woodville 2-1
Lead season series with Sturt 1-0 (+23 pts)
Lost season series with West 1-1 (-2 pts)
Preseason Prediction: Top Two
May Prediction: Top Two
Updated Prediction: 2nd
Woodville Warriors
2014 Record: 8-10
2015 Record: 11-7 (3rd)
Top scorers: Callan Taylor 23.3 ppg
Katherine Perkas 15.8 ppg
Ashleigh White 8.5 ppg
Matches to come: Norwood (H), Sturt (A), South (N), Eastern (H)
Summary: The Warriors have not quite secured their finals berth yet, but after their vital win over Forestville on the weekend, they are almost there. With the injury to Katherine Perkas, it will take an outstanding effort for them to make it past the first round.
Potentially
Crucial Tiebreakers: Lost season series to North 2-1
Lost season series with West 2-1
Lead season series with South 2-0
Lead season series with Sturt 1-0 (+16 pts)
Lead season series with Eastern 1-0 (+24 pts)
Preseason Prediction: Fifth – Eighth
May Prediction: Top Four
Updated Prediction: 4th
West Adelaide Bearcats
2014 Record: 8-10
2015 Record: 10-8 (4th)
Top scorers: Anna Carbo 19.0 ppg
Kate Shierlaw 11.0 ppg
Ashlea Vordermaier 9.9 ppg
Matches to come: South (A), Southern (H), Norwood (N), Forestville (H)
Summary: The Bearcats are arguably the pleasant surprise of 2015, having won eight of 10 since a 2-6 start. Their success has coincided with the return of Anna Carbo. They are a genuine chance to top off their success with a double chance, however, they have not yet clinched their finals spot. Unlikely as it seems, any hiccups over the next three weeks could still see them ousted from the five.
Potentially
Crucial Tiebreakers: Lead season series with North 1-1 (+2 pts)
Won season series with Woodville 2-1
Lost season series with Sturt 2-1
Trail season series with South 1-0 (-3 pts)
Won season series with Eastern 2-1
Lead season series with Forestville 1-0 (-7 pts)
Preseason Prediction: Fourth – Seventh
May Predicton: Fifth – Eighth
Updated Prediction: 3rd
South Adelaide Panthers
2014 Record: 14-6
2015 Record: 9-10 (5th)
Top Scorers: Mollie McKendrick 14.6 ppg
Madeline Cunningham 13.8 ppg
Ieva Nagy 11.7 ppg
Matches to come: West (H), Woodville (N), Southern (H)
Summary: The Panthers have had a four part season. A horrific 0-5 start. A dramatic recovery with six wins in a row, taking them to 6-5. Another run of four consecutive losses, which took them to a 6-10 record. And now another three successive wins, which sees them in the top five at 9-10. Wins over finals challengers Sturt and Eastern last weekend have revived a season that looked like it was slipping away, but the Panthers will still need some luck from around the grounds if they are to make it back-to-back trips to the postseason.
Potentially
Crucial Tiebreakers: Trail season series with Woodville 2-0
Lead season series with West 1-0 (+3 pts)
Won season series with Sturt 2-0
Won season series with Eastern (2-0)
Lost season series with Forestville 2-1
Preseason Prediction: Top Three
May Prediction: Fifth – Eighth
Updated Prediction: 5th
Sturt Sabres
2014 Record: 17-4
2015 Record: 9-9 (6th)
Top Scorers: Amy Shaw 17.1 ppg
Kate Gladstone 11.9 ppg
Hannah Richards 10.7 ppg
Matches to come: Eastern (A), Woodville (H), Forestville (N), North (A)
Summary: The Sabres have picked the wrong time to lose form. They have succumbed to defeat in four successive matches, which includes defeats to cellar-dwellers Centrals and Forestville. Their thumping loss to South on the weekend sent them crashing out of the top five, and there is not a lot of time left to avoid a disastrous bottom five finish.
Potentially
Crucial Tiebreakers: Trail season series with North 1-0 (-23 pts)
Trail season series with Woodville 1-0 (-16 pts)
Won season series with West 2-1
Lost season series with South 2-0
Lead season series with Eastern 1-0 (+6 pts)
Lead season series with Forestville 1-1 (+10 pts)
Preseason Prediction: Fourth – Seventh
May Prediction: Top Four
Updated Prediction: 6th
Eastern Mavericks
2014 Record: 4-14
2015 Record: 8-11 (7th)
Top Scorers: Jemma Thacker 10.8 ppg
Demetria Frank 10.7 ppg
Samantha Lubcke 10.6 ppg
Matches to come: Sturt (H), Southern (N), Woodville (A)
Summary: The Mavericks copped a thrashing against South on Sunday – had they won, they would have been in the top five. They can still make the finals, but the odds of them doing so are now very low.
Potentially
Crucial Tiebreakers: Trail season series with Woodville 1-0 (-24 pts)
Lost season series with West 2-1
Lost season series with South 2-0
Trail season series with Sturt 1-0 (-6 pts)
Won season series with Forestville 2-0
Trail season series with Southern 1-1 (-9 pts)
Preseason Prediction: Fifth - Eighth
May Prediction: Fifth – Eighth
Updated Prediction: Seventh
Forestville Eagles
2014 Record: 10-9
2015 Record: 6-12 (8th)
Top Scorers: Carla Borrego-Williams 22.8 ppg
Samantha Defrancesco 14.1 ppg
Jade Johnson 9.9 ppg
Matches to come: North (A), Centrals (A), Sturt (N), West (A)
Summary: The Eagles, mathematically, can still make the finals. But after their loss to Woodville on Sunday, they need something bordering on a miracle.
Potentially
Crucial Tiebreakers: Trail season series with West 1-0 (-7 pts)
Won season series with South 2-1
Trail season series with Sturt 1-1 (-10 pts)
Lost season series with Eastern 2-0
Lost season series with Southern 2-1
Preseason Prediction: Sixth – Eighth
May Prediction: Bottom Two
Updated Prediction: Eighth
Southern Tigers
2014 Record: 3-15
2015 Record: 5-13 (9th)
Top scorers: Lauren Fisher 10.8 ppg
Jess Fergus 10.5 ppg
Tara Robinson 10.4 ppg
Matches to come: Centrals (H), West (A), Eastern (N), South (A)
Summary: The Tigers can move out of ninth if they can pick up some wins in their next four fixtures. However, they have lost their last seven games. Their main priority should be beating Centrals this weekend, to put to bed any chance of an unprecedented Wooden Spoon.
Potentially
Crucial Tiebreakers: Lost season series with Sturt 2-0
Lead season series with Eastern 1-1 (+9 pts)
Won season series with Forestville 2-1
Lead season series with Centrals 1-0 (+20 pts)
Preseason Prediction: Bottom Two
May Prediction: Fifth – Eighth
Updated Prediction: 9th
Central District Lions
2014 Record: 0-18
2015 Record: 2-16
Top Scorers: Demi Skinner 22.6 ppg
Amy Lewis 20.7 ppg
Ashley Grimes 15.2 ppg
Matches to come: Southern (A), Forestville (A), North (N), Norwood (H)
Summary: The Lions have added key personnel as the season has gone on, and it has showed where it matters most. They have picked up a couple of good wins in the second half of the season, and came close in a few other games. The upsets they have caused/are causing could put a dent in a side or two’s finals hopes.
Potentially
Crucial Tiebreakers: Trail season series with Southern 1-0 (-20 pts)
Preseason Prediction: Bottom Two
May Prediction: Bottom Two
Updated Prediction: 10th
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