Sturt Sabres (12-6, 3rd) v West Adelaide Bearcats (11-7, 4th), 8.15 pm @ Pasadena

2010 Runners-up West Adelaide Bearcats have the perfect opportunity to exact revenge on reigning Premiers Sturt in their First Semi Final clash at Pasadena on Saturday.

They could not ask for a better opportunity than to eliminate Sturt in its own stadium.

West was above the Sabres on the ladder for the first 17 rounds, but after losing to Norwood in the final game, fell to a season-low fourth spot.

Sturt will have the mental edge here, not only because of last year’s Grand Final result, but also because of its victory at Port Adelaide only three weeks ago.

However, the Bearcats will not fear a trip to Pasadena, as they won there comfortably in Round 8.

West, who had won only one of its previous four finals, got this year’s campaign going in the right direction by defeating North Adelaide 86-61 in the Elimination Final.

It was the second time in three seasons that the Bearcats had ended the Rockets’ season in the first week of the postseason.

West only led by five after 30 minutes but outscored North 31-11 in the final 10.

The Bearcats connected on 11/18 field goals in the final period, and finished the game shooting almost 51 per cent from the floor.

They also pulled down 16 extra boards.

Jeff Dowdell returned to the line-up and starred with 25 points, 14 rebounds 5 assists and 2 steals.

David Nurse shot the lights out, going 9/12 from the field and 5/8 from beyond the arc.

In total, Nurse scored 25 points, his biggest scoring output since he had 27 against the Tigers on May 22.

Blake Truslove (16 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists) also put up very good numbers.

Tristan Braithwaite (5 points), Anthony Spadavecchia (3 points) and Paul Rankin (2 points) were down on their regular season numbers last week, so look for them to have a bigger impact in the upcoming game.

Sturt showed an area of major weakness in its 92-104 loss to Forestville in the Qualifying Final.

The Sabres’ transition defence was virtually non-existent.

Whether it be off a successful offence or a failed one, Sturt was constantly outnumbered in its back half when the Eagles had the basketball.

If it was not for an outstanding shooting display from Darren Ng, who scored 38 points, including 5/11 3FG and 11/12 FT, the margin of deficit would have been a lot greater.

Jacob Holmes put up solid numbers but was outplayed by star Eagle Rashad Tucker, while Jan Warbout had a foul-prone night and did not get into the game.

Regular starter Tim Klaosen came off the bench for 10 points, while Sam Daly scored 8, but overall, it was an uncharacteristic performance from the Sabres.

The key battles will be between former 36ers Holmes and Dowdell at the four position, along with whoever prevails as the sharpest shooter, Ng or Nurse.

I cannot see the Sabres putting in two bad ones in a row, so I predict they will bounce back for a close victory.

By James Woite