Jack Toft
Years ago
R18 ABL Action – The Last Goodbye
The last minor round game of the season and we get set to farewell half the field. Some players have played their last game until next season, some their last game ever and some coaches too.
East meets West
Women: Mavs have won their last 5 and Tess has proven the difference, averaging 30.9 ppg and 14.5 rpg. Average score for Mavs WITH Tess is 72 to 68, WITHOUT Tess it's 44 to 82 - Stats worthy of strong consideration for league MVP. West have struggled all season losing their last 6 and only popping the bubbly a paltry 3 times (South, Sturt, Woodville) West are a bit like Australia at the Olympics, once a force, now a bronze is seen as a gold. Momentum is with the Mavs and the light Westies see in the tunnel is just Freight Train Tess coming at 100 mph!
Men: West beat East by nearly 50 last time - that’s a distant memory as Mavs will be tougher than a well done steak in a shearing shed barbie. While West will play finals, they would be as nervous as a drug smuggler in Thai airport with packets of drugs up their bum. Eastern should get the consolation points tonight.
North meets South
Women: North have won 14 of their last 15 games and will finish 2nd regardless of results. South are in a rebuilding period and so will look forward to a public burning of their wooden spoon of 2012 with better results in 2013.
Men: North promise to be as gentle on South as a fox on a lamb. The lambs will be silent soon enough. Ah Clarise.....
Sturt v Woodville
Women: Apart from the prized scalp of the Eagles, Sturt have had a tough season. Woodville even tougher only getting 1 win from their last 15 games. A Woodville win tonight would see them jump West if West succumb to Mavs. On their home court, Sturt hate losing and can lament the season as they hang up their cue for the last time in 2012 after a win.
Men: A last round win is on the table, but Woodies season is over and if you believe in magic dragons, anything’s possible. Sturt are a very slight chance of a Minor Premiership if results go their way so with the scent of this in their nostrels, Woodville would be well advised to wear the brown jocks tonight.
Norwood v Forestville
Women: This is a finals preview for sure. Norwood cannot be replaced as Minor Premiers, so well done to them. Forestville will finish 3rd and have some momentum, but score 76 to 55 at home, and 69 to 68 on the road. Norwood are 10 ppg better at home. This will be the edge tonight as Norwood get a psychological edge going into the major round.
Men: Norwood currently have the split on Feagles, but will they hold it? A Feagles loss could gift Sturt the Minor Premiership which is motivation enough to crash those boards a little harder and make Norwood realise the standard expected in the next few weeks.
Safari Cup 2 (Southern v Centrals)
Women: MOTR. Southern need to win to force the triple log jam for 5th spot. Who would have thought a threesome would be that much fun? BSA to call for a lumberjack to sort out the final ladder. If they do, they could force Safari Cup 3 in week 1 of finals. Where’s Alby Mangels when you need him? Both teams have had a good run and regardless of the result this will be played at finals game intensity. Southern to pip the Lions in a boisterous affair and break the Mavs achey breaky heart.
Men: A Southern win by 4 would see these teams swap places. If the Tigeresses get a W, the stadium will be electric. Reckon the Safari Cup will stay south with the home teams going 2-0.
