Despite a higher ladder position, Norwood go into this week's elimination semi-final as slight underdogs, against a Rocket unit that defeated it twice during the minor rounds.

The outcome of the first meeting of these teams was perhaps the most surprising. In round 9, Norwood headed into the game with a head of steam, having just announced the signing of Lighting guard Jess Foley and broken into the top 5 the same week. North set up a 31 point win with a 27-14 point second quarter, the run-and-gun Flames hurt by its 18% three point percentage in this game.

Despite the scoreline, the round 18 meeting was similarly one sided. North led by as many 20 points, before Norwood drew to within one in the final two minutes, before the Rockets steadied to win by 5. In a game that produced almost 50 fouls, the intensity belied the fact that the game had no impact on the final placings.

North enter this, the final and most important of their three meetings, with a head of steam. North demolished South in the first half last week, Jo Hill having 19 points by half time. The Rockets outrebounded the Panthers 65-36, and Norwood will have its work cut out to avoid a similar discrepancy. Emily Fryters is often outsized, but rarely outworked, but every Flame will need to play a part in keeping Jamie-Lee Peris and Hill off the boards.

The style employed by Norwood coach Damian Weeks has made his team the most exciting to watch in this year's Central ABL. Nicole Romeo, Carly Stark and Lisa Scaglia have taken 250 three point shots between them this year, and many of them have them have been daggers on transition that can change the shape of game in moments. They will need to be on fire to stop North from progressing to the next round.