Championship Women (1-0): vs. Waverley (1-1) @ The Arena Showcourt,

Saturday 5.30pm

Geelong Lady Cats will get their first true indication of where they stand in the Big V State Championship pecking order when they meet perennial finalists Waverley on Saturday night. The Lady Cats are coming off a solid 84-66 win over Bulleen, while the Falcons split their opening weekend double-header, with a 13 point loss to Diamond Valley on Saturday night, before hammering Melbourne 78-50 on Sunday. Coach Grantley Bernard was happy with the first-up performances of his charges. “The win was pleasing and could best be described as a good start with plenty of room to grow. Going with a big starting line-up provided a presence and provided some more flexibility with the bench and subbing rotations. It would have been good to build the lead in the fourth quarter, but fouls and fatigue became a factor.” Waverley comes to The Arena with some injury concerns, including star veteran Julie Brookhouse (nee De Groot) and tough-as-nails guard Tess Feery. The Lady Cats will be hoping the even spread of scoring continues, with six players scoring eights points or more.

Division 1 Men (1-1): vs. La Trobe University (0-1) @ Darebin Community Sports Centre,

 

Saturday 8.00pm

Geelong travels to Darebin on Saturday night for a clash with La Trobe University. The Cats split their season-opening weekend road-double, with a 71-55 loss on Saturday night to Southern Peninsula, followed by 75-63 win over Division One newcomers Keysborough. La Trobe University is coming off a 78-53 hammering at the hands of Whittlesea. Chris Brown made an impressive start to the season for the Cats, averaging 9 ppg and 13.5 rpg for the weekend. Brown, along with veteran guard Paul Hutchison and former Supercats big man Nick Van Der Klooster, should provide more than enough class to get the win for coach Shayne Bow. Kevin Anstey, brother of retired NBL great Chris, provides La Trobe with the majority of its scoring and rebounding prowess.

 

 

Youth League Women (1-0): vs. Altona (0-1)

 

@ The Arena Annexe, Sunday 1.00pm

After a historic first-up win in its maiden Youth League Women’s appearance, the Young Lady Cats will look to make it consecutive victories in their first home game against Altona on Sunday. Stand in coach Tom King will be looking for an improved shooting performance against the Gators, after going 21-82 in the narrow 57-53 win over Bulleen. “Our inability to finish nearly cost us the game. However the fact we got so many shots up shows our offence is working. What was particularly pleasing was the way we crashed the boards on offence”. Jess Watson, who spent last year on the sidelines after a knee reconstruction, led from the front with 18 points. Altona enters the match after an 88-56 loss to potential finalists Eltham.

 

 

 

Youth League Men (0-1): vs. Sherbrooke (1-0)

@ Monbulk Secondary College, Saturday 7.30pm

Youth League Cats’ coach Dave Brown will be looking for an improved showing in their trip to Sherbrooke on Saturday night. The YL Cats are coming off a last quarter fadeout which resulted in a 78-66 loss to Hawthorn, who joined Geelong in Youth League One after winning the YL2 title in 2009. Sherbrooke opened its campaign with a 91-83 win over Bulleen, with four players scoring in double figures. Supercats rookies Michael Rebula (17 points) and Lachie Headlam (15) led the way for Geelong, however support was lacking down the stretch, especially when Rebula fouled out. The likes of Ben Scannell, Ben McCawley and Rob Harding will need to provide more on the offensive end if the Cats are to be competitive against the Suns.