Norwood Flames v Sturt Sabres, Sat Mar 17 at 6:30pm at Mars

It's been 10 years since Norwood's Damian Weeks has coached at this level, but his experience with state junior teams during this time will give him a good handle on the strengths and weaknesses of many of the players in the league. Norwood enters this season without Capitals recruits Natalie Hurst and Kellie Abrams but the return of Sapphires squad member Lisa Scaglia will boost its backcourt. Central ABL Grand Final MVP Angela Marino returns from Perth after a further year of WNBL experience and the Sabres have also added former Sturt junior Simone Nelson who returns from a year in the US. Sturt are without Sonia Dametto this season, but still won the Blitz and should hit the ground running.

North Adelaide Rockets v West Adelaide Bearcats, Sat Mar 17 at 6:30pm at Hillcrest

Former Olympian Mike McKay returns to the limelight, making his coaching debut with the Rockets women. He will take on his former club with a young line up, most of whom have a history of success at junior level. With no Erin Phillips, and Jo Hill not arriving until later in the season, the Rockets may have a tough time against the Bearcats, who have added Lightning forward Lauren King to a group that already includes Adelaide teammates Sam Woosnam and Cherie Smith. As if that's not enough, at some stage this season the Bearcats will suit former Lightning point guard Jess Mahony. The knee injury which prevented Mahony from playing in the World U21 Championships in 2003 was believed to have ended her career, but if she returns to full strength by the end of the season, West should have all bases covered.

Southern Tigers v Woodville Warriors, Sat Mar 17 at 6:30pm at Morphett Vale

The Southern group that went within three points of knocking out eventual premiers Sturt in last year's preliminary final has added Fleur Holmes and Kate Hilton from Eastern, and Kate Mousley and Teresa Kinross from South. The real bonus, however, is the form of Tamara Walker. Walker won the MVP of the Metro League and hit a massive 5 three pointers in the Grand Final of the Blitz, and with Lightning guard Leah Cannon and Capitals center Tracy Beatty returning, the Tigers will be difficult to stop. Woodville will again rely on veteran Jodie Barratt but Brooke Gathercole and Vanessa Michael have shown good pre-season form. Coach Lynne Holland is looking forward to her hard work at junior level playing dividends at senior level, and Sharna Breavington could be the first of a number of juniors to make an impact.

Forestville Eagles v Eastern Mavericks, Sat Mar 17 at 6:30pm at Wayville

2006 coach of the year Sharon Simons took the Eagles to a grand final last year but the retirement of Narelle Lindsay and the loss of Tara Robinson to Lambuth University leave  holes that will be difficult to fill. Forestville won the Metro League with a team of juniors and the addition of former AIS scholarship holder Emma Pawlowski from North and Kate Malpass from Western Australia will mean that Forestville will again be competitive. Rookie Mavs coach Brenton Johnston will get his first bite at senior coaching with a group that's markedly different from previous years. Siobhan O'Brien has retired, sister Conor is playing for Waverley in the BigV, and Madison Bycroft is at Coker College, USA. The Mavs have added Shay Bayly from Centrals and Jane Symons from West, and Amanda Williams and Deb Wilcox are in good form, but these four will require more help for Eastern to work their way up the ladder.