Big V Preview Round 17
Division One Men (1st 13-5): vs. Southern Peninsula (5th 10-7) @ Hillview Stadium, Sunday 2.30pm
Geelong became the first team to secure a Big V division one playoff berth with an 80-78 win over Hawthorn. The Cats, who led by 16 at half-time, almost threw it a way, with the Magic’s Nick Duckett having one last shot to win the game. Paul Hutchison made sure his 350th match in a Geelong singlet was a memorable one, finishing with 19 points, including 11 in the final term. The Cats head across to Rosebud on Sunday for a clash with Southern Peninsula. The Sharks, who Geelong dispatched 91-46 back in round 10, are still in the mix for a finals berth. Southern Peninsula won't be an easy one, coach Shayne Bow said. “And with them just sitting out of the top four, they will be fighting hard and we will need to be on our game to beat them.” A win for Geelong will secure a top-two finish with one round remaining, meaning home court advantage in the semi-finals.
State Youth Championship One Men (9th 6-12): vs. Ringwood (2nd 15-3) @ Maroondah Indoor Sports Centre, Sunday 2.15pm
Lacking Supercats’ rookie trio Nathan Freind, Michael Rebula and Lachie Headlam, Geelong was no match for the struggling Hawthorn, falling 92-68. Trailing by 10 points at half-time, the Cats were blown away by the Magic’s 27-16 third quarter, where Geelong shot a woeful 2-of-18 from the field. Lewie Varley again paced the Cats’ scoring with 19 points, but it came at 6-of-21. “We went into the game with a small team, knowing we would be out-rebounded,” coach Luke Beauglehall said. “(But) we collapsed the key well and stuck with them for most of the game. We pushed the floor hard, but the height got on top of us in the end.” Freind, Rebula and Headlam are all expected to play after returning to the mainland from Geelong’s SEABL double-header in Tasmania. It will give Beauglehall a full-strength roster for one of the few times this season. The last time the Cats and Ringwood met in round 8, the Hawks came out on top 110-76.
State Youth Championship Women (4th Watson Conference 9-8): vs. Hume City (5th Terril Conference 4-13) @ Broadmeadows Basketball Stadium, Sunday 12.00pm
Geelong held the undefeated Diamond Valley to it second-lowest score of the season, but still fell 52-41. The Cats were unable to score at crucial times, despite getting within two baskets numerous times throughout the second half. Captain Sharon Ford tried to inspire her troops across the line, falling just short of a triple-double with 12 points, eight rebounds and nine steals. “The difference in the end was our field goal percentage, coach Kat Clancy said. “We can't win many games, if any, with a field goal percentage of 22. “We missed easy baskets and our decision making at times of what shot to take was disappointing. We had our chances, and didn't capitalise. It was as simple as that.” The availability of Supercats’ rookie duo Jess Watson and Ellie Stevens will again be a key for Geelong. Sunday’s meeting with the Young Lady Broncos is the first between the two teams in 2011, with Geelong needing a win to ensure a finals berth.
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