The Insider
Years ago
NBL1 West Power Rankings - Men
1. Warwick Senators (5-0 record)
Haven't been challenged yet, winning every game so far by 20+ points. And the return this week from college of Alier Riak gives them firepower off the bench. However their schedule to-date hasn't been tough (Redbacks, Slammers twice, Wolves, Magic), so this weekend's game against the Lightning will tell us where they are.
2. Lakeside Lightning (3-1)
Their starting-5 (Prue, Shervill, Bowie, Isenbarger, Armour) is as good as any going around, and there's word that Rowan Mackenzie will be returning soon from the USA. But they are old and injury-prone (Jay Bowie has already missed 3 games) so Corey Shervill is the key. A big test against the Senators this week.
3. Rockingham Flames (4-2)
Despite a surprise loss to the Buccs a couple of weeks ago, they are a top-4 team, particularly after Tom Jervis joins them in a few weeks. The are deep and have plenty of firepower. But like the Lightning, player availability could be an issue, especially with Greg Hire who seems to pick and choose which game to play. Should get up at home against a hot-and-cold Cougars team on Saturday night.
4. Perry Lakes Hawks (4-1)
Typical meat-and-potatoes Hawks squad this year who just get the job done without any fuss or glamour. They are big but also have a strong outside game. A trip up to Geraldton can never be taken for granted, but they will be too big and have too much firepower for a struggling Buccs line-up.
5. Goldfields Giants (3-2)
A lot of new faces means they need time to gel, and it looks like it all came together last week with their dismantling of a full-strength Wolves line-up. Another tough test this week against an emerging Tigers team, but home court advantage and a size advantage should be enough to get them over the line.
6. Joondalup Wolves (3-2)
On paper they are as deep and strong as any team in the competition, but sometimes that can bite you on the backside. Coach Summerville seems to be struggling in finding what his best line-up is, and has started 9 different players so far. And what's with Rob Huntington and Majier Garang averaging a combined 30mins per game? That said, they will be far too strong for the Eagles tonight.
7. Willetton Tigers (4-1)
Probably need to be ranked a bit higher, but they have overachieved in some ways and need to beat the Giants this weekend to move up the rankings. That aside, after this weekend they have games against the Suns, Eagles, Magic and Slammers, so June will be a great month for them. July is a different story altogether with the Senators, Lightning, Giants and Flames likely to push them to middle-of-the-standings.
8. Cockburn Cougars (2-3)
At the moment they are struggling to find where they are at. Their form seems to mirror the form of Nic Pozoglou who is averaging 20ppg (at 55% FG) and 14reb in their two wins, but only 13ppg (30%) and 9reb in their 3 losses. Travel to Rockingham this weekend where the Pozoglou clamps will be applied, dropping the Cougars to 2-4.
9. Mandurah Magic (2-3)
Showed promise early but their two wins were against teams in the bottom half of the standings. Jerami Grace is having a standout year, but considering they are a big team, their leading rebounder is averaging just 5.8 per game. Interesting battle versus the Redbacks at home this Saturday night, which could go either way. But they will drop down the rankings with a loss.
10. Geraldton Buccaneers (1-2)
There's a case to have them ranked lower, but the addition of ex-Darwin import Elijah Barbour gives them that extra firepower they are missing. Barbour, Muo and Wattie should hold their own against the Hawks on Saturday, but veteran bigs Matt Wundenberg and Aaron Ralph will find it tough going against the elite Perry Lakes frontcourt.
11. Perth Redbacks (2-3)
They are just missing one player (shooter) to be a top-8 team. Where are you Marshall Nelson? You add him to Timms, Gattorna, Jackson and Wagner, and that's a playoff-bound line-up. But for now they are one of those teams in the mix for the last (8th) playoff spot. A win over Mandurah on Saturday will push them into that spot.
12. East Perth Eagles (1-6)
Despite losing to them last week, we have them ranked higher than the Slammers simply due to them having a stronger line-up. That loss was down in Bunbury, the night after a tough loss to the Redbacks, and against a fresh South West. So understandable in some ways. Whether they can remain ranked above the Slammers could be determined by how well they play against the Wolves tonight.
13. Kalamunda Eastern Suns (0-4)
Some had them as a sneaky chance for a top-8 spot this year, however, and to be blunt, they have been awful. They have lost by an average of 28 points, including a 43-point loss to the Hawks last week. A chance to finally get on the board this weekend against the Slammers in match-up of the cellar dwellers. And with home court advantage, they should be able to chalk up their first NBL1 victory.
14. South West Slammers (1-5)
Have copped some beltings this year, but to their credit they hung tough for a double OT win over the Eagles last week. Have a chance for two on the trot this weekend with a victory over the winless Eastern Suns in what could be, and we are not kidding, the game of the round. A loss however will keep them at the foot of the rankings.
