By James Woite

 

Norwood Flames (22-0) v North Adelaide Rockets (17-6)

The Rockets will be hoping to continue their recent finals success at Mars, when they meet the unbeaten Flames in the Second Semi Final.

In last year’s Preliminary Final, the Rockets defeated the Flames 81-72. They were also successful in the 2012 Second Semi Final. The Flames have not won a home final against the Rockets since 2007.

The Flames did get the better of the Rockets during the 2015 regular season, going 2-0, winning by an average margin of 15 points. On Anzac Day, the Flames overcame the Rockets 66-56. Marisa Stabile had 17 points and 5 rebounds for the Flames. Genna Anderson registerd 17 points and 9 rebounds for the Rockets, who were without Jo Hill.

Three months had passed before the Flames beat the Rockets for the second time, 78-58. Jessica Foley posted 15 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists for the Flames. Hill contributed 12 points and 6 rebounds for the Rockets, who on this occasion were missing Anderson.

The Flames found different ways to get on top of the Rockets during their two regular season meetings. In the first encounter, the Flames turned the ball over eight fewer times and pulled down 12 more offensive rebounds. In the second clash, the Flames had five fewer offensive rebounds and three additional turnovers, but shot 53 per cent from the field, compared to the Rockets’ 32 per cent. The Flames only made 36 per cent of their shots on Anzac Day (to the Rockets’ 35 per cent).

Last week, the Rockets outscored South 45-32 after half-time, en route to an 80-67 victory. Hill had 21 points and 8 rebounds.

The Flames had the week off, as a result of winning the Minor Premiership.

The winner of this match will advance to the Grand Final. The loser will host either South or West in the Preliminary Final.

 

South Adelaide Panthers (12-11) v West Adelaide Bearcats (13-10)

The Bearcats will be attempting to end a four game losing streak against the Panthers, when they make the trip to Marion for the First Semi Final.

The Bearcats have not beaten the Panthers for more than two years. Their last win was on July 27, 2013.

These teams clashed twice during the regular season. On May 2, the Panthers won by a score of 62-59. Mollie McKendrick made some key plays down the stretch, finishing with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Trudy Holland had 15 points and 9 rebounds for the Bearcats.

The Bearcats got off to a strong start on July 18, topping the Panthers 50-36 at half-time. Yet the Panthers turned things around in the second half, outscoring the Bearcats 52-33 for an 88-83 victory. McKendrick (30 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists), Ashleigh Spencer (29 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds) and Ieva Nagy (20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists) all put up big numbers for the Panthers, while Carbo and Sky Langenbrinck each scored 20 for the Bearcats.

In the first meeting, the Panthers committed seven fewer turnovers than the Bearcats. The second time, they had 11 extra rebounds, six of which came at the offensive end.

Last week, 14 points and 13 rebounds from Jessica Mahony was not enough for the Panthers to prevent defeat. They went down 67-80 to North in the Qualifying Final.

The Bearcats finished their Elimination Final at Woodville on a 15-2 run, earning a 53-41 win. Carbo contributed 16 points and 7 rebounds.

This will be the final duel of the season for the loser. The winner will visit either Norwood or North in the Preliminary Final.