By James Woite   

In the July edition of ‘Beyond Regulation’, we take a look back on each club’s form and preview the remainder of the season? Also, keep an eye on the Team of the Month and Power Rankings – do you agree?

Norwood Flames

Women position: 1^st (12-0) Men position: 8^th(5-7)

Matches to come: @ North, v South, v West, @ Centrals, @ Sturt, v Forestville

The Lady Flames remain undefeated and are well on track for a second successive premiership, which is not surprising given the wealth of WNBL talent at their disposal. Still, take nothing away from the girls who put together a streak of six consecutive 30+ point wins. The continued development of Jessica Good, and the re-emergence of Rebecca Duke following two seasons off, ice the cake nicely.

After eight seasons of success, the 2013 Norwood men have gone cold with just one triumph since May 18. Only a minimum of five wins from their last six games could realistically catapult them back to the postseason. In 2012, the red and the blue won six of their last seven, but they probably need a couple of other heroes (aka Todd Matthews, David Cooper) following Corey Ottey out of retirement if lightning is to strike twice (which it can for anyone who may think otherwise!).

Sturt Sabres

Women position: 2^nd (10-2) Men position: 6^th (6-6)

Matches to come: v Forestville, @ Southern, @ Woodville, v Eastern, v Norwood, @ West

As mentioned in Edition II of Beyond Regulation, Top Cat always finds a way to overcome Officer Dibble - and after two potentially demoralising losses in the space of three matches, the Sturt Top Sabre Cats are back on track with four straight wins.

Two wins against North have the Top Cats second and the Rockets fifth – a reversal of results and the teams would be the other way around. Having regained second position, the matches against Forestville and Eastern in the next few weeks will decide whether they earn a double chance or face immediate elimination.

While the women have been the “Top Cats”, the Sturt Men have been the “Top Cubs”! The Top Cubs have been the most improved team in the competition thus far. They started 1-4, but have gone 5-2 since, while bettering their previous results against Centrals, South and North.

Unfortunately, the Top Cubs fell three points short of victory against the Rockets, and have fallen back outside the top five as a result. Their run home includes top three sides Forestville, Woodville and West, and early Elimination Finals against Southern and Norwood – possibly the toughest draw of the remaining finals contenders! The Sabres lost their series with 4^th placed Centrals by 8, were swept by North, are -10 against Southern and +21 versus Norwood, so they really need to avoid a tie-breaker scenario in order to play finals.

Forestville Eagles

Women position: 3^rd (9-3) Men position: 3^rd (8-4)

Matches to come: @ Sturt, v North, v Southern, @ Eastern, v Woodville, @ Norwood

The Simons coached Eagles are flying along nicely in third position.

Q: Does this refer to women or men?

A: Both!

Unlike in recent seasons, Sharon’s side has failed to feed on opponents like worms hovering in their nest, but with plenty of room for development, the Eagles are still predatory creatures. They struggled against Sturt and North earlier this year, while scraping home against Eastern, and still have to play all three sides, along with Norwood. Hence, there is a solid chance the Eagles will slip outside the top three – though that would not bother Sharon. Just see Season 2011!

“Desperate times call for desperate measures”, and Andy’s recent work in acquiring Boomer Adam Gibson and former Cairns Taipan Kane Oakley suggests he is on the same page as Miami Heat President Pat Riley when it comes to building a championship contender. The Eagles side now includes four players with NBL experience, a future NBL prospect and an import. Since the era of Simons’ big names began, the Eagles have won two from two by a combined total of 76 points, so they do not appear in any danger of becoming a side with too many egos and not enough shots to keep them happy (aka the 2012-13 LA Lakers). This is not a side anyone would want to play in finals! 

Eastern Mavericks

Women position: 4^th (9-3) Men position: 10^th (0-10)

Matches to come: @ Centrals, v South, @ Sturt, v Forestville, @ Southern, v North

With Tess Madgen back in uniform, the Mavericks’ win over West has now confirmed them as finals contenders for a second straight season. Their supporting cast, headed by Shannon Tarran and Jemma Thacker, has improved as the season has progressed, but how they fare under finals pressure could determine how far Madgen can lead them. As the only top five club not to have to Norwood again, the Mavs could be considered favourites for second spot and two guaranteed home finals.

For the Maverick men, Season 2013 has been another tough one. They are currently staring down the barrel of a no-win season. That would mean back-to-back seasons without a home win, their last of which was the final round of the 2011 season when Jack You-Know-Who (not Voldemort Harry Potter fans!) scored 44. It’s rare for a team to go winless, so the Mavericks could yet turn giant-killers if opponents ease up on them.

North Adelaide Rockets

Women position: 5^th (8-4) Men position: 5^th (7-5)

Matches to come: v Norwood, @ Forestville, v West, @ Southern, v Centrals, @ Eastern

Although the women and men’s Rockets are in the same spot on the CABL’s Solar System – namely Jupiter - for the time being, the women have no need to call Houston, as they are a long distance from Saturn. However, the men may have a problem.

The fifth-placed Rocket women are still a chance of a top three finish, but an Elimination Final, possibly against Forestville, seems to be the way the planets are aligning.

The Rocket men face a much different proposition. Their win over Sturt was possibly their most important of the season, but another year of post-season action is no guarantee, as the Sabres and Tigers are only a game below, and Norwood just two. The Rockets won their tie-breaker with the Sabres and are currently +2 against Centrals, whom are also 7-5, +16 versus Southern and -19 opposed to Norwood.

West Adelaide Bearcats

Women position: 6^th (5-7) Men position: 1^st (10-2)

Matches to come: v Woodville, @ Norwood, @ North, v Centrals, @ South, v Sturt

The Lady Bear-kittens have been in a transitional phase for the last two seasons and can take pride in already improving on last year’s record. They have a 100 per cent record against the bottom five sides, but have shown there is a lot of ground to make up on the top five. A win against Woodville this week would secure sixth spot, while four wins from their last six would see them break even in terms of wins and losses.

The men’s Bearcats have virtually sealed a top three position, although they still have some work to do if they want to achieve top spot and a home Second Semi Final. Their Round 13 match with Woodville could decide the Minor Premiership. The availability of 36ers duo Daniel Johnson and Jason Cadee will go a long way to towards a Bearcat flag, although Blake Truslove has been excellent value for minutes all season.

Woodville Warriors

Women position: Tie7^th (3-9) Men position: Tie 1^st (10-2)

Matches to come: @ West, v Centrals, v Sturt, @ South, @ Forestville, v Southern

Over the last month, the Warriors have established themselves as a competitive outfit, and Coach Christian Bell will be hoping for continued improvement in the coming weeks. The Warriors got within four of Eastern and nine of North, before holding the Flames to 73 points and losing by 25 - the Flames’ worst numbers since Round 5. A win against West would give the Warriors hope of being the best team outside the top five, and if they can get off to better starts and shoot with greater accuracy, then there is hope for the future.

From a male point of view, 2013 really has been the Year of the Warrior. The NBA’s Golden State Warriors finally got to the playoffs after appearing just once (2006-07) since 1994, and now Woodville is in line to reach the postseason for the first time since 2005. They have finally beaten North and Norwood at home, with their previous wins coming in 2006 and 2005 respectively – sounds a bit like how Golden State had not beaten the Spurs in San Antonio since 1997, until this May! Everything is falling into place with Al Green’s men. Top spot up for grabs against Westies!

Southern Tigers

Women position: Tie 8^th (3-9) Men position: Tie 6^th (6-6)

Matches to come: @ South, v Sturt, @ Forestville, v North, v Eastern, @ Woodville

It has been a long couple of months for the female Tigers, but they finally have something to roar about following their sweep of Centrals. They should finish outside the bottom two, and they could be seventh by the end of the round. In a rebuilding season, the development of Denelle Fawcett and Stana Zecevic has been a positive.

I mentioned the Year of the Warrior: How about the Year of the Tiger as well? A little over a week ago, I was talking about how the Southern Tigers could knock off the league’s top team in their own building on the same night the Richmond Tigers could win by 10 goals without playing overly well! I have never talked about that before!

Yet, while that other yellow and black side racked up another 10 goal win (what???), the Southern Tigers, who were strong and bold and fought with fury in the win against West, fell a game back from the top five by losing to a Centrals team that had won just two of its past seven!

The Tigers could have been in the top four, but have now slipped back to seventh. They have now lost their series with Centrals by 31 and are -16 against North, so possibly five wins from their final six games will be required to make the finals – in which case it could (just could) be the Year of the Tiger-Warrior.

Central District Lions

Women position: 9^th (1-11) Men position: Tie 4^th

Matches to come: v Eastern, @ Woodville, v Norwood, @ West, @ North, v South

The Lion Queens had a good few weeks with a win over South and a solid challenge of top five side Forestville, but their loss to Southern has almost certainly confined them to a bottom two finish. The only major highlight for the Lions has been the effort they have received from Tamika Dukes, who has been one of the standout players in the competition this season and could finish in the All Star Five.

The Lion Kings go into July having won just three of their last eight, but their June 30 triumph at Southern could prove to be their most important result in a long time. With home fixtures against the bottom three sides still to come and head-to-head advantages over Sturt and Southern, the Lions are in control of their own destiny. Kyle Miller has gone cold recently, so they need a big lift from him, but Christopher Clausen has had an outstanding season and put the team on his back as of late.

South Adelaide Panthers

Women position: 10^th (0-12) Men position: 9^th (1-11)

Matches to come: v Southern, @ Norwood, @ Eastern, v Woodville, v West, @ Centrals

Only two seasons ago, the Lady Panthers were challenging for a finals berth, but 2013 has proven another difficult campaign. It has now been more than a year since the Panthers last won a game, but only play two top five sides in their last six games. Their Round 18 rematch with Centrals could determine their fate.

Like Eastern, South’s men’s etam is a potential giant-killer in these remaining matches. Many top clubs have faced bottom ones expecting a win to be a mere formality, only to rue their complacency after 40 minutes of actual game. The final six games will be invaluable for the Panther cubs in getting some experience against players anywhere up to Boomers standard. The Panthers and Mavs will also have their own mini Grand Final when they face off on Saturday week.

Women Team of the Month        Statistics for June
G  Denelle Fawcett (Southern)   17.5 ppg, 35% FG, 33% 3FG, 8 rpg, 3 spg
G  Jess Foley (Norwood)           16.5 ppg, 50% FG, 89% FT, 10 rpg, 6.8 apg, 5.8 spg 
F  Tamika Dukes (Centrals)      21 ppg, 43% FG, 79% FT, 8.8 rpg, 3.5 spg  
F Jo Hill (North)                       16.8 ppg, 52% FG, 90% FT, 6.5 rpg, 2 apg, 3.5 spg 
C  Rebecca Duke (Norwood)      12 ppg, 36% FG, 8.5 rpg, 4.8 apg, 3 spg, 3 bpg
Coach Marcus Wong (Sturt)   Record: 4-0, tie 1st  

Men Team of the Month            Statistics for June
G  Adam Doyle (Forestville)    21.3 ppg, 55% FG, 45% 3FG, 86% FT 4.3 rpg, 4.8 apg, 2 spg
G  Darren Ng (Woodville)        26.5 ppg, 42% FG, 49% 3FG, 94% FT, 4.8 rpg, 2 apg
F  Jake Rios (Forestville)        26.5 ppg, 41% FG, 36% 3FG, 87% FT 4.8 rpg, 2.5 apg
F  Pero Vasilijevic (North)        20.8 ppg, 49% FG, 15.5 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.3 bpg 
C  John Marriott (Sturt)           13 ppg, 59% FG, 8.8 rpg, 1.3 bpg
Coach Al Green (Woodville)   Record: 4-0, 1st

                                               

 

Women Power Rankings

Rank (last)	Club	Ladder Pos.	Record	Streak	Last month	Next month	Projected record (end July)
1 (1)	Norwood	1	12-0	Won 12	4-0	@ North, v South, v West, @ Centrals, @ Sturt	17-0
2 (4)	Eastern	4	9-3	Won 1	3-1	@ Centrals, v South, @ Sturt, v Forestville, @ Southern	14-3
3 (5)	Sturt	2	10-2	Won 4	4-0	v Forestville, @ Southern, @ Woodville, v Eastern, v Norwood	13-4
4 (3)	Forestville	3	9-3	Won 3	3-1	@ Sturt, v North, v Southern, @ Eastern, v Woodville	12-5
5 (2)	North Adelaide	5	8-4	Lost 1	2-2	v Norwood, @ Forestville, v West, @ Southern, v Centrals	12-5
6 (7)	Woodville	7	3-9	Lost 3	1-3	@ West, v Centrals, v Sturt, @ South, @ Forestville	6-11
7 (6)	West Adelaide	6	5-7	Lost 1	1-3	v Woodville, @ Norwood, @ North, v Centrals, @ South	7-10
8 (8)	Southern	8	3-9	Won 1	1-3	@ South, v Sturt, @ Forestville, v North, v Eastern	4-13
9 (10)	Central Districts	9	1-11	Lost 3	1-3	v Eastern, @ Woodville, v Norwood, @ West, @ North	1-16
10 (9)	South Adelaide	10	0-12	Lost 12	0-4	v Southern, @ Norwood, @ Eastern, v Woodville, v West	0-17

 

Biggest rise: Eastern, Sturt (+2)

Biggest drop: North (-3)

 

 

Men Power Rankings

Rank (last)	Club	Ladder Pos.	Record	Streak	Last month	Next month	Projected record (end July)
1 (2)	Woodville	2	10-2	Won 5	4-0	@ West, v Centrals, v Sturt, @ South, @ Forestville	14-3
2 (1)	West Adelaide	1	10-2	Won 1	3-1	v Woodville, @ Norwood, @ North, v Centrals, @ South	14-3
3 (3)	Forestville	3	8-4	Won 2	3-1	@ Sturt, v North, v Southern, @ Eastern, v Woodville	12-5
4 (4)	North Adelaide	5	7-5	Won 1	3-1	v Norwood, @ Forestville, v West, @ Southern, v Centrals	10-7
5 (7)	Sturt	6	6-6	Lost 1	2-2	v Forestville, @ Southern, @ Woodville, v Eastern, v Norwood	10-7
6 (5)	Central Districts	4	7-5	Won 1	2-2	v Eastern, @ Woodville, v Norwood, @ West, @ North	9-8
7 (6)	Southern	7	6-6	Lost 1	2-2	@ South, v Sturt, @ Forestville, v North, v Eastern	8-9
8 (8)	Norwood	8	5-7	Lost 1	1-3	@ North, v South, v West, @ Centrals, @ Sturt	6-11
9 (10)	Eastern	10	0-12	Lost 12	0-4	@ Centrals, v South, @ Sturt, v Forestville, @ Southern	1-16
10 (9)	South Adelaide	9	1-10	Lost 7	0-4	v Southern, @ Norwood, @ Eastern, v Woodville, v West	1-16

 

Biggest rise: Sturt (+2)

Biggest drop: West, Centrals, Southern, South (-1)