The ultimate minor round of the Central ABL season will produce at least two mighty battles – one providing an early indication of premiership favouritism and the other sealing the 2009 fate for one team.

The Norwood v Sturt men’s game has been looming since May 30, ever since the Sabres handed the Flames a whopping 49 point defeat. Norwood reacted well to the loss, going on a 7 game streak that started with a victory that was more comfortable than the 21 point margin indicated over then-undefeated Forestville, but faltered last week against a surging Central Districts.

Despite this surprising loss, Norwood would be confident of matching it with Sturt given that in their last encounter, Dan Thompson and David Cooper were absent and Todd Matthews had an uncharacteristically quiet game. That game aside, Matthews has quietly produced another solid season, averaging 17 points, 5 assists and 8 rebounds and Thompson too has averaged close to a double double.

Sturt too had a loss last week, with West Adelaide halting their 10 game winning streak. Jacob Holmes was overseas for this game and would have been handy to combat the size of Blake Truslove who had 25 points and 13 rebounds, but it was West’s perimeter shooting that made the difference, with Chris Molitor connecting on 6 three pointers and four other Bearcats scoring from beyond the arc.

Sturt is still yet to lose a game with Holmes in the lineup, but Norwood’s front court will provide a legitimate challenge for Sturt, who will need Claybrin McMath to recreate the season-high 25 points he had last week against West and will need both McMath and Holmes to keep Thompson and Cooper outside the paint. Darren Ng had 6 threes when these teams last met so Norwood will be wanting to do a better job of getting a hand in the face of the league’s second highest scorer.

At Hillcrest, it is “do or die” for both North Adelaide and Centrals. Both teams did their best last week to setup an entertaining season finale – North Adelaide by losing to South Adelaide on yet another Daniel Kosmider buzzer-beater, and Centrals by defeating Norwood by 19 in the most inspiring win of the season. Centrals are now on a four game streak and have handled the loss of Daniel Carlin (AIS) and Oliver Prince (released) well.

The Rockets have enjoyed an incredible month of highs and lows. Consecutive victories over finals-bound Forestville and West caused predictions of a march through the finals but losses to Eastern (9th) and South (10th) indicate otherwise. They looked out-of-sorts at Marion and no doubt had the 2008 semi final in the back of the their mind but should be much more comfortable at Hillcrest in front of their biggest crowd in what will be their last home game for the season.

Barring major upsets, the participants in the women’s finals series are set. Round 18 results could play a part in determining home court advantage but expect more action in next week’s women’s games, with this week’s focus on the men.