Round 2 Women's Previews
Norwood Flames v North Adelaide Rockets - Sat, Mar 29, 6:30pm at Mars
NorwoodâTMs finals run was the surprise of the 2007 season, though a repeat performance will be difficult. For Norwood, the loss of WNBL All-Star 5 member Jess Foley is huge, and with fellow Lightning team member Emily Fryters moving to Tasmania, Norwood lose not only their top two scorers but their two tallest players. North will also have to overcome the loss of Erin Lorenzini and Kristi Ollino. North won both minor round meetings last season, though in their last meeting in a cut-throat semi final, Norwood won by 14 at home. How well each team handles the loss of personnel will have a big impact on the result.
South Adelaide Panthers v Southern Tigers - Sat, Mar 29, 6:30pm at Marion
Similar standings and a host of players with experience at both clubs has ensured that the South-Southern rivalry is as strong as ever. South has added Karen Rokicinski (West) and Lyndell Kwiatkowski (Woodville), but has to contend with the retirements of Vikki Kelson, Jennie Browne and Jenni Carberry. Southern will be hurt by the early absence of Tamara Walker who has been a consistent threat from the perimeter in recent years. Under new coach Travis Leaver, the Tigers showed great form in the pre-season, winning the Metro League with a junior-oriented lineup. SA Metro state representatives Ieva Nagy and Hannah Richards are a part of this wave, and should see minutes this season. Glenn ShawâTMs Panthers will also be buoyed by the return of Chloe Henderson who, after a solid junior career, should also make an impact this season.
West Adelaide Bearcats v Sturt Sabres - Sat, Mar 29, 6:30pm at Port Adelaide
Sturt missed out on a 2007 Grand Final appearance against West, but has added Renae Camino, fresh from a WNBL Championship and Grand Final MVP effort with the Lightning, as well as Emma Langford from the AIS. With a starting backcourt of Camino and Halls medalist Angela Marino, the Sabres should hit the ground running, though international commitments with Opals and Tall Ferns squads may have an impact later in the season. West are the reigning premiers, and were competitive in an ABA Quarter Final loss to Ballarat last year. Lightning captain Sam Woosnam makes her debut as a player/coach, and although the team has lost Jess Mahony (Forestville) and Cherie Smith (Queensland), it has added AIS graduate Nikki Martin to an already deep lineup.Continuity from last year should guarantee that this is the game of the round.
Central Districts Lions v Eastern Mavericks - Sat, Mar 29, 6:30pm at Starplex
Winston Folland makes his CABL coaching debut for Centrals, which returns to the league after a one year hiatus. The involvement of Erin Phillips will be a huge bonus for the Lions, even if only in an assistant coaching capacity while recovering from knee surgery. Brenton JohnstonâTMs Mavericks will be a strong contender this year, and will boast one of the starâTMs of the competition in Cayla Francis. Francis returns after a two year stint at the AIS, and in that time has won a host of awards including the WNBL Rookie of the Year and MVP for the Under 20 National Championships. Throw in Erin Seward who has recovered from a knee operation, and the Mavericks now have enough strength in both the backcourt and front court to contend with anyone in the league.
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