Norwood Flames v North Adelaide Rockets - Sat, Mar 29, 8:15pm at Mars

What better way to start the season than a Grand Final rematch between traditional rivals? North had the edge on Norwood when it counted in 2008, but the battles these teams had in 2007 will ensure a close game here. This will be the first chance for SA fans to see Geelong swing-man Jason Reardon in action for North, but Norwoodâ€^TMs virtually unchanged lineup means the Flames will again be a title contender.Luke Mapunda returns to North after three successful seasons at Woodville, in which he increased his scoring output each year. North has shown great pre-season form, both at the Blitz and in a SEABL tournament in Victoria, while Norwood may be hampered by injuries. If David Cooper plays, this might be the best chance for Norwood to defeat the defending champions, especially with Dusty Rychart sitting on the sideline.

 

South Adelaide Panthers v Southern Tigers - Sat, Mar 29, 8:15pm at Marion

The South-Southern rivalry has produced some vicious battles in recent years, and both teams would be keen to prove their competitiveness early. South will need to cover the loss of its top scorer in Damian Scanlon, though Canadian Justin Halleran and talented juniors Brad Reid and Matt Dubrich will help. Southern has also suffered the loss of their top scorer in Brad Gerlach (Forestville) as well as Ben and Tim Hodges (retired), Matt Clarke (Centrals) and Dave Bowley (Sturt), but this should provide more opportunities for former juniors such as Phil Brown and Paul Smith. Both teams will have youngsters logging good minutes and all will keen to demonstrate their ability to make the transition to senior basketball.

 

West Adelaide Bearcats v Sturt Sabres - Sat, Mar 29, 8:15pm at Port Adelaide

When these teams met in the 2007 Elimination Final, it was West that had the ascendancy. Both teams will hope to field more settled lineups this season, with former 36ers Blake Truslove and Todd Gower hoping to complete a full season with their respective clubs. West may be suffering with early injuries, but will be buoyed by the return of small forward Dan Zacharjak, who sat out the entire 2007 season with a knee injury. As well as a heap of junior players, Sturt has also registered Drew Gooden lookalike David Bowley, who joins his 3 sisters at Sturt. Pre-season predictors have the Bearcats and Sabres penciled in for finals, but still a step behind the top 3. This game may provide a good indication as to the accuracy of these predictions.

 

Central Districts Lions v Eastern Mavericks - Sat, Mar 29, 8:15pm at Starplex

This game will see the senior coaching debuts of Scott Whitmore with Centrals and Wade Hampton with Eastern. Both had long and impressive State League playing careers, and now have their first opportunity to perform in a coaching capacity. Easternâ€^TMs lack of height may be a factor, as although Shane Breheny and Ben Dearman had break out seasons in 2007, both are perhaps slightly undersized to compete with the biggest centres in the league. Jarrod Younie, who sat out last season with an achilles tendon tear has been refashioned as a point guard, and the team also introduces Will Smith, Cameron Myles and Matt de Cure from Forestville. Centrals has added Matt Clarke (Southern) but of most interest will be the return of Lachie Parker, Ben Todd and former Canberra Cannon Paul Vandenbergh.