Championship Women (13-3): vs. Melbourne (9-8) @ MSAC, Sunday 1.00pm

Stung by their third loss of the season, a 69-67 defeat at the hands of Ringwood, the Geelong Lady Cats face a Melbourne roster still in contention for a play-off berth. Injuries proved telling for Geelong in the loss to Hawks, with star shooter Kylie Morrissy and back-up guard Vicki King both missing. As a result four Lady Cats played 35 minutes or more, and similar will be expected against the Tigers, with Morrissy and King likely to be absent again. “We have a few injuries right now, but that cannot be an excuse,” coach Grantley Bernard said. “We must see that as part of the challenge of improving our play over the last five games of the season. Other teams have improved over the season and we must find a way to do the same." Last time the two sides met back on May 29, the Lady Cats blew a 15 point three-quarter time lead to lose 78-75. WNBL star Elyse Penaluna starred for the Tigers that day with 28 points and 16 rebounds. However Geelong was without star big Candice Rogers and experienced guard Jae Conn.

Division 1 Men (13-3): vs. Whittlesea (7-8) @ The Arena Annexe, Sunday 3.00pm

With a play-off berth all but secured thanks to an 80-56 smashing of Altona, a win over Whittlesea will seal home-court advantage in the first week of the finals for the Cats. Former Supercat Dane Bow top scored with 21 points against the Gators, going 4-7 from beyond the arc. While Jason Reardon again fell agonizingly short of a triple-double, logging 15 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. “(I’ve) never seen the ball passed so much to find the open man and (such) aggressive defence,” coach Shayne Bow said. “(It was) a great display of basketball and one we know we can now play.” Bow is well aware of the danger Whittlesea, who remain in playoff contention, poses. “(They) pushed us all the way last time we met”, he said of the 92-82 victory back on May 8. “The boys will need to do the basic things well if we want to keep on winning.”

Youth League Women (8-8): vs. Waverley (12-3) @ The Arena Annexe, Saturday 7.00pm

It wasn’t impressive, however the Young Lady Cats returned to the winners list with a 72-65 result against Altona, snapping a four game losing streak. “A bit patchy from the team again this week,” coach Kat Clancy said. “But there was a big improvement on consistency in the last quarter and we just ran out the game better.” Mature-age rookie Sharon Ford was again impressive, finishing with 15 points, nine rebounds and five steals. Ellie Stevens (16 points) and Ebony Tannouri (12) provided the support. Jess Watson will return from overseas for Saturday night’s clash with Waverley, which Geelong needs to win if they want to feature in finals. The last time the two teams met was back in round three, with the second placed Falcons prevailing 65-50. Coach Clancy well aware of what her young side needs to do to win. “We have to shut down their shooters and be wary of their tall inside players.”

Youth League Men (7-7): vs. Hume City (4-9) @ The Arena Annexe, Sunday 1.00pm

After another bye in a stop-start season for the Young Cats, they return to action knowing a loss to Hume City will all but kill off their playoff hopes in their inaugural season in Youth League One.

“Every game we play we must win to keep a finals berth alive,” coach Dave Brown said. Geelong is one of the form teams of the competition, having won six of their last seven encounters, including a 91-74 result against the Broncos on May 30. On that occasion Steve Wiasak finished with 24 points and Chris Daniele 17. Hume City is mathematically still a chance of featuring in August. However after starting the season 4-2, they’ve dropped seven straight, including being on the wrong end of a 49 point smashing by second placed Melbourne Tigers last week. Geelong sits fifth, equal with fourth placed Waverley, on seven wins and seven losses. However the Falcons hold head-to-head over the Young Cats.