Anonymous
Years ago
NBL1 Central week 7 preview
Bit late with previews this week, had day off from work, so boss couldn't think I was doing this and thought I was hard at work.
Had a few lucky tips the first few rounds, but been off a bit lately. Sturt have small gap at top being undefeated, but a big logjam with a lot of teams 4-2 or 3-3. Eastern as most thought looked destined for wooden spoon, only interest is if they can win a game. North pulled the chequebook out, but couldn't purchase a win against Centrals, pun intended. Time is fast running out for them to have some chance at making late surge to playoffs. Anyway, here we go.
Norwood vs Sturt
Can't really say anything about Sturt as usual. Just keep doing what they do and winning. Norwood got upset by Southern last week, but looking at previous rounds, they squeaked past Forestville, lost to West, beat South by 1 and had the bye vs Eastern. So are they serious contenders or pretenders. Have maybe best player in Turnage, next few weeks should see where they stand. Have to go with Sturt. And will be interesting to see an "NBA" coach go against regular old Coach Rigoni.
South vs Forestville
South has rebounded well after a couple of hiccups in rounds 3 and 4. Speaking of rebounding, Panther faithful might have thought the Chairman, Mark Davis, was out there last week against Woodville. Starlings 37 points and 20 rebounds a huge individual performance. Have no idea about the record books and someone will probably point out if there has been, but I wonder when the last time someone put up a 30-20 game? I think Alex might poll a few Woollacott votes in that game.
Forestville is on a 2 games losing streak, but both single digit losses to Sturt and Woodville. Mays and Brine will have to be at their best to control Starling. But can't see anyone containing Harris and Andy will coach circles around Petty, so will take the Eagles in this one
Southern vs North
The Cinderella team at the moment in Southern vs the very disappointing North team would probably have been a meh game looking at the schedule before the season started. Big questions are, can Southern keep it up and can North pay their way to get a crucial win. A few head scratching moves in the final quarter allowed Centrals to send game into overtime when it looked like the Rockets had it in the bag. Will probably come down to if anyone from north stops being a spectator when Purchase has the ball and steps up. But this is a must win game for Southern to consolidate their spot for finals. Amazing how Dean left the previously big spending Tigers to go to another big spending club, but Tigers well ahead in terms of great teamwork. Southern for me.
West vs Woodville
West actually looked like they enjoyed playing together, but that would happen for anyone playing the Washington Generals, I mean the Eastern Mavericks. Somehow they have managed to get to 3-3, despite looking terrible most of the season. Can that confidence continue going up against probably the most talented team in the competition.
Woodville had just one job to do last week, and they had the bodies to do it. Contain Starling! But as mentioned he puts up a huge night in anyone's eyes. In a battle of the hot seat coaches, Petty came up trumps, don't think anyone would have heard that sentence before. Woodville should win, but wouldn't surprise me if Corey gets the Bearcats fired up for this one.
Eastern vs Central
If a game had a yawn emoji, this would be the one. Unless Centrals manage to totally self destruct, the Lions should win by 20 plus. Even thinking about this game is making me sleepy, Lions easily.
