Jack Toft
Years ago
R2 ABL Action
South vs North @ Marion
Women: South snatched defeat from the jaws of victory at Starplex with Keane the standout snaring 22 pts & 11 rbs. They face the Rockettes at home who made an easy job hard in R1 with 22 TO's (obviously they wanted to keep Woodville in the game) but picked an amazing 52 rebounds like apples off a tree. The more experienced North team won’t dominate the boards this week but will be familiar with playing in scruffy stadiums. Providing they keep their turnovers under control, they should do enough to hold the Panthers to 0-2 at end of the round.
Men: Currently sitting top, this year’s South team would have all the old timers hearts racing. 52% from the floor was the difference last week as well as 14 from 27 beyond the arc. The halcyon days at South might be back and after such a long time in the wilderness, Collingwood supporters might seem un-passionate in comparison. Bring on the gold jacket! North supporters better get down to help drown out the South crowd. North men got the same 14 from the arc, but had an extra 11 goes. Momentum with young Team Casella who is turning the Mitsubishi 350 into a Ferrari and they might just be 2-0 after this round.
Sturt vs Mavs @ Pasadena
Women: The Sturt ladies were not disgraced in round 1 with Madgen getting the opening goal and a lazy 24 points. Sturt didn’t get any second chance points against Norwood, which could be an indication of Norwood’s strength, not Sturt’s weakness. 44 turnovers and a score of 41 summed up a horrible night for the Mavs and rivals last season’s Lionesses. A feeble 15 rebounds and they were nearly kept scoreless in quarter 2, so they need to use this for inspiration. Sturt will show the Mavs how to play the game tonight. Plenty of attention on Tess who might just lead all scorers tonight and maybe score more than the entire Mavs outfit.
Men: Another huge game with both teams coming off losses. The Sturt V8 is likely to still be on 6 cylinders without Jacob and Ninja. The Mavs did not disgrace themselves in R1 are showing a good comeback (plenth of red bull at half time?). It might take them a round or two to fully fire up. Sturt are always tough at home and even with 6 cylinders might not allow Brad Hill to taste success as coach just yet. Aren’t they nice letting him wait to get his first W on home soil?
West vs Centrals
Women: West annihilated Mavs in a training drill in round 1 and have set the benchmark in scoring this season. 66% FG shooting and 84 points in the paint, with 24 points off turnovers! Centrals showed true grit in a come from behind victory - getting a thriller with 1.6 seconds left. Party central in the Lion’s Den. Tonight, the Lionesses will come back down to earth with a thud! West are looking the goods under Vicki and will send a warning to the rest of the league that they mean business.
Men: Another tough season ahead for the Lions and the trip down the NEX is shorter, but just brings pain 10 minutes closer. Jeffrey Dowdell coming off a 33 point SBL debut should be in for another stat boost. The Carlinator will continue to shine for the Lions but with JD looking about as soft as a bag or rocks, he’ll be tested. I do like the look of the West team and reckon all Belly needs to do this year is call the subs, hand out the drinks bottles, and look pretty.
Woodville vs Forestville
Women: Woodville showed patches of potential in round 1 and played better than expected. Woeful shooting kept them out of the game - 81 FGA and if they had only shot an average shooting %, would have iced the game by 8 points. (remember girls, quality, not quantity) Forestville narrow losers at home in what should be a rare home loss for them, but they were playing the Tigeresses so what do you expect. Woodville might jag a scalp if the planets align and their shooting improves, but the Eagles should open their account for the season.
Men: Rashad with a lazing 33 points (13/19 FG) and 19 rbs needs to be tamed if Al Green wants to be 2-0 after tonight. Eagles were off with their 3P in R1, but a week of dedicated practise should up this % making them deadly. Woodville face their first test tonight and Principal Jack gives the Eagles an "A". Eagles to be all over “Centrals Lite” like a Rash (ad).
Tigers vs Flames
Women: Tigeresses are proving they are not to be taken lightly after a tight win against a more fancied team. Cunningham lead all with 23 points, and Spencer chalked up what should be the first of many double-doubles this season. Norwood began their season with a win and as expected Foley had a great game with 20 points and Ireland lead all scorers with 28 just to show the Eagles what they’re missing out on. This is the women’s MOTR. Tigers got 7 3’s last week and Norwood an amazing 55% 3P%, so expect a shootout beyond the arc. Even if they miss, there’s some tall timber fighting for the cherry. Norwood are definite top 5’ers and Tigers are likely to see finals action. A Tigers win would be a morale boost, but Flames likely to be hot again this week. Expect a tight contest. Have the fire extinguishers at the ready in Tigerland.
Men: Tigers were kept in the game last week by poor shooting from the Eagles, but face a stronger opponent this week who are slightly shorter than the refinery stacks and have almost as much chrome as the Christies Beach carpark on a Friday night. Norwood are by far the strongest men’s team at the moment and only if Gladys the canteen lady drops kyptonite into their drinks bottles will the Tigers get up.
