The DUNK Premier League (DPL) is a joint initiative by the Northside Wizards in partnership with DUNK Basketball Uniforms.

We’re two weeks away from the playoffs - here’s how the situation is unfolding throughout the competition. 

Raptors (currently 1^st, 17W-0L)

Following last season’s Grand Final capitulation to the Suns it would be fair to assume this would signal the demise of the Raptors, especially after having lost key pieces Tim Habelito and Isaac Deakin. The astute additions however of Thomas Hunt (17.2ppg) and Darby Walmsley (23.6ppg) have pushed this group to the top of the pile and the versatile duo of Zach Williams-Hook (23.6ppg) and Wes Rand (25.6ppg) are playing at MVP levels, meaning these perennial contenders are a terrific chance of breaking their finals hoodoo.

Should the Raps earn a historic title they’ll do it without spiritual leader Avikesh ‘Curry Shaq’ Singh. Set to feature in the middle this season following a horrendous run of injuries, Singh’s hopes of suiting up were cruelly dashed on opening day when he fell out of bed fracturing every bone and tearing every muscle in his body. Subsequent DNA tests have conclusively identified him as a close relative of Greg Oden.

Run home: Brendale Bobcats (W), Huskies (W)

Likely finish: 1^st, 19W-0L

 

Brendale Bobcats (2^nd, 13W-4L)

The Bobcats have found their mojo and are back to ominous form last seen in the early seasons of DPL. Whilst yet to beat the runaway Raptors in regular season play, all three losses have been by a margin no greater than five points and the Bobbies will certainly be confident of a better outcome in the finals.

Losing Sam Hay at the point in the off-season was a big hit but compensated for by adding Luke Pittle (17.5ppg) who has slotted in impressively as the primary ball-handler. Sharpshooter Nate Burrow (16.5ppg) also joined on and has enhanced the teams’ offensive arsenal.

The big dog of the pack is undoubtedly Matt Donaldson (23.1ppg) whose play is garnering serious MVP consideration also. After showing flashes of promise coming off the bench for the Sunshine Coast Rip in QBL play, he has taken his inside play to another level this season.

A special mention needs to be made of resilient sharpshooter Michael Cutcliffe (51 triples on the season, second to Ben Houchin’s 54). After snapping his achilles tendon in six places during a social tournament at Hervey Bay in early October, ‘White Lightning” miraculously recovered to miss only a solitary week and has continued to keep defences honest with his exceptional outside marksmanship.

Run home: Raptors (L), Phoenix (W)

Likely finish: 2^nd, 14W-5L

 

Regulators (3^rd, 7W-10L)

Sitting a surprise third, the Regs are safe and have booked another finals appointment after missing out on countback the previous season. Talented team-first big Andy Harris was a welcomed off-season addition, but his presence hasn’t propelled the squad as strongly forward as they would’ve hoped as players still accustom themselves to the deepest rotation in the league.

It’s no secret that the Regulators’ success hinges largely on the performance of key trio Steve ‘Garbage Man’ Allan (14.3ppg), Nate Wilkins (15.4ppg) and Ivan Pajnic (15.4ppg) – all three will need to be available and turn in consistently good performances in order for this squad to progress past the imminent 3^rd v 4^th playoff.

Run home: Phoenix (W), Suns (W)

Likely finish: 3^rd, 9W-10L

 

Suns (4^th, 6W-11L)

The mighty reigning three-peat champs have fallen, although to be fair much of this is due to player unavailabilities outside of their control. They come no larger than current MVP Luke Stewart who is out for the season and continues to recuperate from a minor shark attack that occurred off the Redcliffe peninsula in late August. Whilst his shooting hand suffered no serious damage there are serious concerns surrounding his hair and if it will ever be the same again.

The Suns have been well away from the pace this season but if they assemble their best available team come finals, they can perceivably make a deep run. They key here is Josh Pittle (23.1ppg) and if he can continue his rich vein of form since taking the slack from Stewart’s absence.

Luke Patrick has been a shining light defensively and if he fails to poll well in Defensive Player voting then the world will have proved just how cruel it can be.

Run home: Huskies (W), Regulators (L)

Likely finish: 4^th, 7W-12L

 

Phoenix (5^th, 5W-12L)

The x-factor team on the up and up. Their freewheeling run and gun style has put others on notice but after stumbling to a loss against the Huskies on Monday night, will they have the opportunity to show their wares in the playoffs?

The upstarts are paced by sweet shooting trio Ben Houchin (16.1ppg), Josh Potter (17.4ppg) and Brendan Pallier (17.2ppg). We’re saying they’ll just miss out on a playoff berth this season but if they keep their nucleus together expect the Phoenix to be perennial playoff contenders in seasons to come.

Run home: Regulators (L), Brendale Bobcats (L)

Likely finish: 5^th, 5W-14L

 

Huskies (6^th, 3W-14L)

The Huskies threw a spanner in the playoff aspirations of Phoenix on Monday night with an 80-74 victory. We’d call it an upset but with most of their core personnel available this win and others are quite achievable. Unfortunately this campaign has been peppered with absenteeism which has led to difficulty in the team remaining competitive for entire games, but if they can get a regular squad showing up in 2017 these dudes are every chance of earning their maiden playoff appearance.

Shoutouts to Jake Dunsmore (14.8ppg), Tom Dunsmore (9.4ppg) and Chris Guymer (11.2ppg) who’ve played the majority of the season and turned in solid performances.

Run home: Suns (L), Raptors (L)

Likely finish: 6^th, 3W-16L

 

Three takeways for the race to the finish line:

1. The Raptors and Bobcats are locks to finish 1^st and 2^nd respectively. We’re expecting both to feature in the Grand Final where a fresh champion will finally be anointed.
2. Even if they drop their final two matches, the Regulators are playoffs-bound courtesy of a favourable head-to-head against Phoenix. In the event of the Suns and Phoenix tying for fourth spot, Phoenix progresses.
3. The playoff destiny of the Suns and Phoenix potentially lays with the Regulators, whose final two opponents are these teams.

Good luck to all teams in the final weeks and we look forward to seeing you on the court again in 2017. Stay tuned for our All-League award announcements and Finals preview at regular seasons’ end.

The DPL is the Northside Wizards’ premier senior men’s competition and is played on Monday nights at the Boondall Sports Centre. Nominations for Season 1 of the 2017 season are now being accepted. Please direct all enquiries to the Competitions Manager via email comps@northsidewizards.com or phone 3325 5474 during regular business hours.