Honestly don't know what to expect going into tonight's game.
I get the impression Melbourne aren't playing quite as well as last time, but then the wildcats have played a few shit games in a row.

Crazy thing is we seem to play better with some players out injured.

IMO its going to come down to a few things:
Is Boone still injured? They'll need more than 12 minutes from him.
Are CG & MM going to light it up from outside? Perth seem to struggle against good outside shooters.
Will Gleeson get his defensive match-ups right, something he has often refused to do.
Has Wagstaff had a good long hard look in the mirror, and will he stand up tonight, or continue coasting to retirement?
Can White stop throwing up shit?

Last time these two met, CG43 put on a classic shooting performance before getting injured late in the game.

That was the 4th game of United's season, with CG putting up 20+ points in 3 of the first 4 games.

Since that injury he's missed a game or two, then he played 5 minutes without putting up a shot against Cairns. Then sat more games.

Since his eventual return, in 6 games he's 10.5ppg shooting 33% from the field.

When he's at his best, United will be very hard to stop. They're a strong defensive team, but they rely heavily on Casper and CG at the offensive end. Last week, Brisbane shut United down by essentially double teaming Casper. No one else could capitalise on the 4 on 3, and the rest of the team was just ineffective. Ordinarily, I'd expect CG to be catching those first passes out of the double team and drilling 3's at will, or creating something.

United needs CG to get going again. He's been out of form and lacking confidence. Tonight will be his night- I hope. He's well overdue.

Yep, agree with that.
That's why I hope Trev gets his match ups right. Ware is in my view the best PG in the league. He can do it all, and we need to shut him down. I'd be tempted to start Martin on him, and tag-team all night with Norton.
I would suggest starting Norton on him, and bringing on Martin if CG looks like lighting up... But we know Trev will ride Cotton so thats not going to happen.

perth unlikely due to the refs ... it is said - repetition gives a sense of security

Can't see us winning over in Melbourne to be honest. Will just wait for the media and everone to jump the gun and say Cats are done for the season all over social media, good times.

Thinking Melbourne by 7 points.

Head says Melbourne, heart says Perth. Wait and see, bring on the "sack people threads".

In fairness it was also the only foul he's actually committed.

Goulding flopping

Perth look flat. Their offence is rather stationary, and they cant hit a thing

Terrico is in trouble. Adds nothing when Cotton is cold. Need a James Ennis type people.

Anon 990

Are you on United's coaching staff?

Vickerman riding starters pretty hard. On track for 30 min plus games for Ware, Goulding n McCarron.

What game is Homicide watching. That was an automatic block by Norton on Goulding down the sideline.

One point deficit at the half feels extremely generous after how ordinary we were.

P. Cooper is getting better

Anon 038

But there's no denying that you can buy a Chinese car for $22 990. Complete with asbestos.

This is U.G.L.Y. from the Cats

Has to be 3rd import time for the Wildcats.

Wildcats needs a better SF

Cotton looks tired. Agreed Goulding is a baby but he can shoot and he has it going in Q3. Probably out of reach now for Perth.

Not that a 3rd import would hurt, but this BS is not a personnel issue IMO.

White needs to save his job this quarter in my opinion.

In the afl you take a players legs and its a free kick, but not in the nbl i guess... Perth are playing terribly.

Wildcats needs Sheldon Jeter

We almost look awake atm. Just 2 hours too late.

Should put Steindl on court.

Long few weeks ahead for the Cats I think. Lucky we took advantage of the soft start. Going to need it.

Might as well put the bench on. McCarron just put this one on ice.

Fair to say Homicide and some Adelaide fans will be stroking themselves tonight.

Isn't it funny how Cotton's shot percentage goes up when he doesn't flop on three-pointers

Why are United's stars still out there?

Can't say I agree. Barlow certainly showed tonight which team was better at creating open looks though.

3rd import coming shortly

Would getting a third import eliminate the need for replacing White?

IMO getting a better import than White might be the better option otherwise the cats could end up with two average imports that contribute very little.

What happened Perth?
Refs couldnt bail you out?
You played a decent team at full strength?

What happened Perth?
Refs couldnt bail you out?
You played a decent team at full strength?

IMO getting a better import than White might be the better option otherwise the cats could end up with two average imports that contribute very little.

A third import isn't required just an upgrade for White will be sufficient.
A three man who can play four in a pinch.

Three point shooting would be handy but not essential. Steindl fills that need.

White isn't that great defensively and on the boards so if he's not hitting his shots he provides very little to the team. Definitely need to upgrade to a more versatile three man.

Gross...all that needs to be said about the Cats performance tonight.

When Cotton has an off night White needs to step up. He did not.

Troy did nothing last season when we were cooked during mid-Dec to mid-Jan. A massive fade is happening again so it will be interesting to see how invested the club really are or will they merely continue off of the fumes of recent titles. Does the CEO even have authority to spend? We'll see.

Manu

"Isn't it funny how Cotton's shot percentage goes up when he doesn't flop on three-pointers"?

I know it's a rhetorical question, but there could be at least 2 answers.

1. He shoots so much better when balanced and in rhythm. Kicking out the legs and adopting weird body positions to create and/or accentuate contact for a foul call interferes with his balance and rhyth.
2. His mind is too busy worrying about the foul to focus on shooting.

Really don't know how Wagstaff made the Australian team.

On the flipside, how good is Kay. If you look at his season statistics, they make for impressive reading. Definitely a hugely underrated player.

15.6ppg, 9rpg, and 3apg on 63%FG, 34%3PFG and 86.4% FT.