Tigers, Flames do battle for top spot (Womens Preview)
Willetton is one win ahead of Rockingham but the Flames have a game in hand and will move top with a win, while a win for the Tigers would put it in the box seat to finish the year there.
Rockingham upset Willetton with a 71-69 overtime win last time these sides met and the Tigers will hope to avoid having the Flames beat it twice this year, with the two sides a strong chance to meet in the Grand Final.
The Tigers moved ahead of Rockingham with an 81-70 win over third placed Australian Central East Perth Eagles last week while the Flames had the bye.
Lakeside Lightning will be battling with Mandurah Magic and AND1 Kalamunda Eastern Suns for the last two finals spots over the final five rounds and all teams face crucial games this week.
Lakeside meets Southside Mitsubishi Perth Redbacks, which has won four of its last five after Marita Payne and Brooke Hiddlestone led it to a narrow win over the Magic in Waroona last week, and will be trying to consolidate fourth spot.
The Lightning also face local rivals Metropolis Fremantle Cockburn Cougars, which has lost four straight, and Lakeside will be heavily favoured after Heidi McNeill (30 points) led it back into the eight with an impressive win over Perry Lakes last week.
Mandurah should be far too strong for winless side Carpet Court Southwest Slammers on the Friday night but faces a tougher match against Glasscraft Wanneroo Wolves on Saturday.
The Wolves have won four of five on the back of Rebecca Mercer and Alex Kerr’s good form and are safely in the finals but Mandurah will be confident due to its unbeaten home record.
Kalamunda’s hopes could be virtually over after the weekend as it will be two games outside the eight if it loses to East Perth and Mandurah and Lakeside both sweep their doubleheaders.
East Perth has lost two straight and will be looking to consolidate third spot with a win over the Suns, while Kalamunda should be boosted by the return of star Melissa Moyle, who hasn’t played in over one month.
Click here to read the full game by game previews by Jacob Kagi.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Grant Lauterbach
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