Big V Championship Previews
Sandringham vs. Dandenong
Grand Final Game One
Saturday August 4, 7:30pm at Sandringham
The rivalry between the Rangers and Sabres is set to intensify this weekend, as the two team's battle it out in the Big V Championship Men's Grand Final series for the third year running, in what promises to be yet another tight contest that will see people travel far and wide to watch.
2005 saw the Sabres win the Championship over Dandenong in 2 games, but the Rangers came back fighting last year, winning the Championship in two games also, to bring their head to head tally to one all, making for what promises to be a final series to remember for 2007.
No one understands the rivalry between the two teams better then Sandringham coach Vince Crivelli and Dandenong Coach Warren Dawson. Crivelli said that the rivalry between the two teams runs from a club level, from the juniors up, as the two clubs compete against each other at a representative level from a young age.
"It's a healthy rivalry. They have come across from SEABL and have a lot of knowhow and experience at their club," Crivelli said of the Rangers CM team.
Adding to that rivalry is the fact that Sabre Simon Conn was part of the Dandenong side that took the Championship last year, a fact that Dawson said has not been mentioned, as the Rangers get geared up for this week's game.
Instead they are looking to the match at hand, that see Sandringham with the home court advantage, which will be tough for the Rangers who lost there in June. However with win loss ratios counting for very little at this time of year, both teams are looking at their strengths and weaknesses, both agreeing that it will take a consistent 48 minutes that will award the win when the buzzer sounds.
"The three most prolific scorers are Williams, Conn and Adam Quick....I think if we can control the tempo and do the things we do defensively we can be competitive...if we play to our potential we have the strength to win," Dawson said.
Crivelli attributes Sandringham's mental toughness and ability of coming up with the big plays when needed in their win over Waverley last week, and said that he expects this match to play out the same as it always does when they go head to head with the Rangers- tough.
"Playing 48 minutes is the key to beating Dandenong - we can't afford a lapse in judgment," Crivelli said.
No matter the outcome, this week's match will set up for a fiery finals series, and with Ranger David Godfrey taking the court in his 200th ABA match, the Rangers will no doubt be sniffing for a win, to enter Week Two with an advantage, and if they play anything like they did last week against Hume City, they might just have the goods that wins are made of.
Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Sabres 7 ahead of Rangers 5
Coaches Records: Vince Crivelli (Sabres) 151/44 (77%) / Warren Dawson (Rangers) 57/18 (76%)
Championship Women
Waverley vs. Hume City
Grand Final Game One
Saturday August 4, 8pm at Waverley
A whole season is spent working up to a night like this, a night that both Waverley and Hume City have fought hard to attend. This week it will be game on when Hume City travel to Waverley for Game One in the three game finals series, both teams fighting fit after a strong semi final that saw them both win it in two, which they will no doubt be looking to do once again to clinch the Championship in 2007.
Hume City coach Glen Milner and Waverley coach Matthew Dickins are both happy with their team's performances thus far, and are both looking forward to what will no doubt be a tight grand final series.
"I was pleased with the way in which we closed out the semi-final series against a talented and well coached team in Sandringham, with all of our players contributing to the big margin we recorded in that second game. Holding the Lady Sabres to around 30% field goal shooting was another great testament to our commitment to team defense, while having 5 players in double figures, a bench contributing 35 points, and a high assists tally all reflect a team that's working hard for each other," Hume coach Glen Milner said after last week's win.
Waverley coach Matt Dickins was also pleased with his girl's performance. After losing out to Sandringham in the semi final last year, the Falcons have been able to step up and be one step closer to taking it all the way this year, a fact in which the girls should be proud of no matter what the outcome.
"We played well as a team and concentrated on doing the things that we practiced at training. Melbourne are a very deep and talented team, if we had allowed Melbourne to get their shooters free then the result could have been different. We also put a lot of work in determining the best ways to score against Melbourne which I think paid off," Dickins said of Waverley's semi final win over Melbourne.
Hume City hold the head to head record over Waverley 2-0, with an 11 point win in Round 9, and a 22 point win in Round 4, but with so much changing in both teams games since, this head to head tally should have no bearing over this weeks' match, which Milner has also stated.
"Our team has shown all season that we are capable of matching up with different game styles, so we're looking forward to renewing acquaintances with Waverley, who we haven't played since May. Both teams have improved since that encounter, and Saturday's game looms as an important first step in what is sure to be a keenly contested Grand Final series," Milner said.
"This series has the potential to be 2 or 3 fantastic games of basketball. Both teams will look to their strengths, both teams have proven that they have the talent and depth to ensure some great basketball over the next two weeks," Dickins said, and there is no doubt that this match will be a great one, gearing up for what will be massive Week Two next week at Hume City.
Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Broncos 6 ahead of Falcons 2
Coaches Records: Glen Milner (Broncos) 53/32 (62%) / Matthew Dickins (Falcons) 43/25 (63%)
Last Modified on 10/03/2008 02:32
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.