Season on the line!
Years ago
Eagles vs Tigers
I think this game has been overlooked this round. I think it will be a very tight contest. There has been a bit of a healthy rivalry brewing between these two teams with there being very few blow outs over the years in any of the contests between the two. This week will be no exception for two reasons
1, The Tigers season is on the line! with a 2-5 record they can really only afford to lose 3 more games at most if the want to make the play-offs. Loosing this one would only give them 2 losses to play with for the rest of the season, which simply is not enough, they need to start beating some top sides and it needs to start right now!
2, The Tigers embarressed the Eagles last year up at Morphett Vale. With the quality line up the eagles had, the tigers out hustled, out played, out worked and out thought the more superior Eagles line up in a game which eventually was the main reason that the Tigers participated in post season action and the Eagles did not. If the Eagles have forgotton this I would be very surprised, and this is great opportunity for them to settle the score.
1 big question about this game will be who the Tigers will start! We all know who the eagles will line up with...Sutton(PG), Sullivan(SG), Newley(SF), Farman and Dix as the bigs, but who will the tigers go with? who will guard Dix? and who will guard the inform Newley?
Tim Hodges has been used as a defensive stopper over the last few rounds so i think there is a chance of him getting either one, who I'm not sure. You would think Gerlach and Sutton would sqaure off, but will Tigers go for three bigs and then start only one of Hardiman or Wood at the 2 spot, or will they go for a quicker line up and start both, which would probably mean Hardiman vs Sullivan, and Newley vs Wood.
If they did go small, who would be the bigs for the Tigers? I would assume Bowley for one, and probably one of the Hodges brothers the other. If its Tim, I would assume Tim to start on Dix, and Bowley on Farman, if its Ben then I would think Bowley would take Dix, and B Hogdes on Farman. Interesting! However in my opinion, the Tigers are lacking leadership and its time for someone to step up and that someone needs to be their new acting captain Luke Hoban. With a quiet season so far, I think his lack of form is a big reason why the Tigers arn't performing as well as last year, and he was the catalyst for the Tigers in these two teams last meeting at Morphett Vale,with 10 rebounds in the first quarter! So if I were Billy, I would take a punt with the big guy and start him and Bowley in order to try and kick start the Tigers by seriously attacking the offensive glass and just set the tone for their team for the rest of the game.
Who they then start in the three spot I don't think really matters, but I would be inclined to go with the three guards Gerlach, Hardiman and Wood to help turn their big fellas rebounding into some quick fast break lay ups to put the eagles under pressure early.
That would mean the Hodges brothers would come off the bench which I don't think is a bad thing. Tim would be on hand to guard either one of Dix or Newley if they get hot, and Ben would still come on for the Tigers to kick start their offence if needed and to scrap like only he knows how. Actually, having Ben coming off the bench would add the extra value to the game of him being out on the court as the same time as MacDonald-Taylor. This would be a great match up as both love to srcap and hustle, especially when playing each other.
The eagles, if to win need to match any intensity that the tigers throw at em, and contain Gerlachs penetration, especially off the pick and roll which they seem to run alot. That and matching the Tigers on the boards are the key to an eagles victory!
So should be a great game, and I hear quite a good crowd. Would be great to get some tigers fans at the game because the boys really need ya support. There is quite a lot at stake for both clubs, Tigers to stay in touch, and the Eagles to continue to cement themselves ae one of the competition leaders and to stay in touch of Sturt.
My prediction....Eagles by 5, only due to home court advantage.
