Eastern Mavericks v Forestville Eagles
Saturday March 31, 8:15pm at Adelaide Hills Recreation Centre

The Forestville Eagles have a great opportunity to begin their premiership defence with a victory, with a trip south to face the new look Eastern Mavericks.

The Mavericks were arguably the most disappointing side of 2011. After a promising star led by NBL contingent Brad Hill, Aaron Bruce and Ben Madgen, the Mavericks lost 11 of their last 13 games and dropped to ninth.

Hill, Bruce and Madgen are no longer with the club. Exciting prospect Jack Madgen is sitting out the season to retain his college eligibility and veteran Cameron Myles has moved to South Adelaide.

The Mavericks’ solution has been a youth movement, with plenty of juniors coming in, as well as former Forestville athlete Aciek Mayen, who may line up against close friend Majok Deng.

Deng was the surprise packet of the Eagles’ premiership success, which was led by Rashad Tucker, who is also back this season.

Super-sub Nic Blair has moved to NSW, while Neil Mottram has not been resigned. However, 2009 club MVP Brad Gerlach has returned, as has shooter Harri Harvey.

When the teams last met last season, the Eagles were surprisingly behind at half-time, but stormed home to win 99-56.

With a new team, the Mavs could be capable of anything. However, the Eagles are a strong, experienced and settled unit and should pick up a comfortable W here.

Norwood Flames v Central District Lions
Saturday March 31, 8:15pm at Mars Sporting Complex

Many teams have lost experienced players, but none to the degree of the Norwood Flames.

The Flames will line up with a whole new front court when they take on the Central District Lions on Saturday.

Centre David Cooper, Power Forward Nick Hambour and Small Forward Corey Ottey have all retired, as is the case with back-up Guard Robin Eley and reserve Forward Dan Thompson.

The Flames have added four juniors, along with Curtis Scipio from North Adelaide.

The Lions have added a couple of juniors, including Kailan Moore, the son of Tony Moore, who coached the Lions’ women’s CABL side for the first six rounds of last season.

Tom Cioffi has returned.

Import Josh Kollasch is a big loss, as is club stalwart Matt Atkins, previously one of the best shooters going around. New import shooting guard Kyle Miller has been impressive in pre-season trial games, and the club is hoping he will fill the void.

The last meeting between these sides produced a 73-62 Flames victory.

The Flames’ loss of personnel puts huge pressure on Todd Matthews and Andrew Webber, arguably the best backcourt in the league in recent seasons. Still, these two should have enough talent and poise to head the Flames in the right direction, and get the win this weekend.

Sturt Sabres v West Adelaide Bearcats,
Saturday March 31, 8:15pm at Pasadena

The last time the Sturt Sabres met the West Adelaide Bearcats, it was a dark night for the Sabres.

In the Match of the Round, Saturday night at Pasadena provides the perfect opportunity for the Sabres to exact revenge.

After being bundled out of the finals in straight sets last year, the Sabres will be hoping to return to the form that captured them the 2010 title.

Darren Ng and Tom Daly provide a formidable combination, however the remainder of the Sabres’ star quartet of the past two seasons will not be back. In addition, Ng will not suit in round 1.

Jacob Holmes is in the NBL Playoffs with the Townsville Crocodiles, while Jan Warbout is playing for the Mt Gambier Pioneers in the SEABL.

The Sabres have also lost one Josh Owen-Thomas who is at a college in Canada, but have gained his younger brother Ben through the junior ranks.

The Bearcats have retained most of their key personnel, but they will have to do without Jeff Dowdell (Cairns), David Nurse (US) and Adam Pearce (retirement).

Howard Salters Jr. has been imported from the US, while Josh Knight has been added from Woodville, and five juniors have been included in the squad.

Overall, the Bearcats have a more experienced squad, and this should be enough to see them to a third straight road win over the Sabres.

Woodville Warriors v South Adelaide Panthers,
Saturday March 31, 8:15pm at St Clair

Mark Egel and Mark Fuller will go up against their previous clubs on Saturday, with the South Adelaide Panthers taking on the Woodville Warriors at St Clair.

Both teams made finals pushes last year, but did not do each other any favours with a 1-1 split in both fixtures; the away team winning both times.

The Warriors, winners of the pre-season tournament, have added US import Puff Summers, along with a host of juniors, but have lost Josh Knight to West. Colin Matteson has also returned to the US.

For the Panthers, Daniel Johnson has moved to West Adelaide, and Mitch Creek is yet to sign with a Central ABL club. Lachlan Prest is at a US college and Shane Boal is not playing this season.

The Panthers have signed three players from rival clubs – Cameron Myles (Eastern), Jordan Noble (Sturt) and Tom Snyder (West) – and registered some youngsters as well.

With so many key players gone, the Panthers will need to step up to another level, while the Warriors have a host of options in Cameron Wilson, Zane Reeves and Gary Birmingham.

On paper, the Warriors look the better side, and their quality in the backcourt should catapult them to victory.

Southern Tigers v North Adelaide Rockets,
Saturday March 31, 3:45pm @ Morphett Vale

The Southern Tigers will be attempting to end a 14 game losing streak when they host the North Adelaide Rockets at Morphett Vale on Sunday.

The Tigers have not won since April 30 last year, when they defeated South Adelaide 74-68.

One of the Tigers’ major problems last season was perimeter shooting, however, new addition Craig Catford is one who can certainly fill it up from long range.

Tim Smyth is a versatile athlete, who should see more court time than he did as an Eagle.

Michael Florance was by far the Tigers’ best player last season, but the pressure should be taken off him a little with the addition of Tyler Tanis from the US.

Joel Goodenough has retired, Scott O’Connor has work commitments and Marcus Robinson has headed home to the US.

For the Rockets, Pero Vasilijevic has not only returned as a player, but has taken over the coaching reigns from Tracy York.

The Rockets were the surprise-packets last season, finishing fifth, despite a 0-4 start.

After a huge youth movement last season, the Rockets appear to be getting older again, with three other former club men returning.

Youngsters Rhys Elliott and Matthew Lycett are player at US colleges, though may play for North later in the season. American Curtis Scipio has joined Norwood.

Despite the addition of Tanis, the Tigers do not look as strong on paper as their visitors.

The Rockets have a variety of options in Vasilijevic, Josh Bond, Brandon Brine, Brett Collins, Ryan Franceschinis and Tom Rowe, and a result similar to last season’s 78-40 massacre cannot be ruled out.