Jack Toft
Years ago
ABA R1 – The Can of worms is opened once more
The Sixers season is over and now the club rivalry can start. Round 1 is here and pre-season games are always a good opportunity to test the up and coming talent, so results may not reflect the strength of some teams in 2011. It is exciting to see so many young players in the league with many teenagers on team rosters. There has been plenty of player (and coach) movement in the off season and in some cases those inter-club transfers have strengthened both Clubs.
Mavs vs West @ AHRC
Women: The most experienced women's team takes on the least experienced women’s team. The West women are the ones to beat this season. Fairly stable from last year and with a new coach wanting to make her mark, this means they will probably go up another level in performance. The Mavs women have lost the big gun of Tess and need to fire up, or else they will face a long, long season...…visiting teams should probably just write a W in texta when they plays the Mavettes this season. Even the 2006 Lionesses would trash the Mavs this season.
Men: An interesting game. Mavs look good this year and the NBL boys might suit up, but after a night before on the tiles, they could need a red bull or to fire on all cylinders. "Veni, Vidi, Vici" The “bad news Bearcats" look like they are going to stroll up the freeway and show those Mavs who’s boss. Keep an eye on Jack Madgen this season who is likely to be in the mix with about 8 others for ROTY. BTW, who is this Bruce Aaron on their roster? West should “nurse” a good win tonight.
Rockets - Warriors @ Hillcrest
The tin shed will be packed so get there early, or else you’ll be watching through a window.
Women: Warriors will be in all sorts of trouble this game and will look to “Team Richards” for inspiration. Probably the shortest roster on the women's side against the much more stable roster of the Rockettes, who will get the job done easily tonight. Will they be able to mop the blood up before the men’s game? Another long season for Woodville.
Men: Al Green debuts as Woodville coach and with 5 former Centrals players, is this team Centrals Lite, or Woodville Lions? Let’s just call them Woodville Cougars. I get the feeling that Woodville are either going to be like Charles Barkley and dominate, or be like Charlie Sheen and self destruct – nothing in between. IMO, not withstanding Rhys Carter and Troy “Crow” Bond, the North team offerred this season appears one of the weakest the club has presented for a long time. Woodville should be able to open their account tonight and take advantage of the home team, plenty of season left for Charlie Sheen to appear later in the season.
Flames – Sturt @ MARS
Women: I think Herrick is the tallest woman (193 cm) playing this season, but I get the feeling the relatively young Flames look as cold as a mother in law’s kiss going into this game. Key losses to personnel and injuries last season saw last season in freefall and only the misfortune of others saw them hold a place into the final 5. Ever reliable Sturt have been strengthened this season with Tess (is she playing?) and they should control the game from the start and get the W.
Men: I expect Brad has been working those TALL Flames pretty hard off season and they will be determined to make this season theirs. Sturt are always threatening and have a deep, but young, roster albeit not at full strength tonight. Flames with too much firepower on this occasion and may just clear the bench in the 4th just because rare occasions against Sturt should be taken advantage of. Brad Davidson can “breathe easy” tonight knowing that this will be the first of many wins this season.
Lions – Panthers @ Starplex
Women: Last year, the question was “would the Lionesses get more points or turnovers?” Lions have a new coach in “The Navy Seal” and on the open Starplex savannah, the Panthers, who have lost some talent, could be in for a mauling from a Lioness outfit determined to offload the wooden spoon to someone more worthy. Lionesses have plenty of young talent coming into the team, but the experienced recruit in Jess Mahoney will be the difference. Round 1 of the cat fight to the Lionesses. The only question is whether the Navy Seal will clear his bench to let the young Lionesses feast on the carcass?
Men: The Lions men look a little short this year, expecially compared to the Norwood towers, but full of youth, and are one of the few teams with an import. South have some big names in DJ and Wolf Creek so would have the edge over the Lions if at full strength. Flip a coin in this one if DJ and Wolf Creek are in the stands. Not so much who will win, who will loose it through bad shot selection and turnovers.
Eagles – Tigers @ Wayville
Women: The Eagles women dominated at home last year and all indications point to Wayville being another happy hunting ground for them this season. The young Tigeresses will put up a fight, but unless the Eagles get the venue or time wrong, are likely to open their account with a strong W. Welcome to the House of Pain. The game is at 8:30 isn’t it?
Men: Rasheed Tucker strengthens an Eagles team that seems fairly weak compared to their normally high standards over the last decade. That doesn’t mean this team is bad, nor the Tigers will have it easy tonight. Three point whiz Sullivan offers experience and if left alone outside the arc will make his opponent pay. Young Majok Deng offers an exciting inside option. The Southern team need to shut both these players down to have any hope of securing an astonishing win away from home. Rasheed is likely to be unstopable in the paint and will be all over the Tigers like a bad suit. Tigers have had major player losses, but “we have a three year plan.”
