Cross-Town Rivalry highlights finals (Women's Preview)
The first game of the best-of-three series will be crucial, with East Perth feeling it should win one of two at Perth next week to go through if it wins game one, while the Redbacks will be in the box seat if it wins on the road.
The two sides were separated only on head-to-head in the regular season, but Perth may be slightly favoured in the series, with it winning four of its last five, while East Perth has lost three of its previous five.
Last year’s Grand Finalists Mandurah Magic will be heavily favoured for game one despite battling third-placed side Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks.
Mandurah is 10-1 at home this year and will feel it can beat anyone on its own court, despite Perry Lakes’ strong form to finish the series.
The Magic beat the Hawks 60-49 at home in its second last game of the regular season last week, but Perry Lakes showed its class by beating second-placed Rockingham Flames the next night and will be further motivated by the game being Tegan Walker’s 250th.
Rockingham should be too good for Glasscraft Wanneroo Wolves, with the Wolves limping into seventh spot with losses in three of its last five games.
Wanneroo can be dangerous at home, as shown by its 7-4 record there, but the Flames’ front court, led by Kaye Tucker and Lavesa Glover, is expected to be too much for the Wolves to handle.
Lakeside Lightning hosts Southlands Willetton Tigers in the only Friday night game, with it to start heavy underdogs in the match and series.
The Lightning had a three-game losing streak before beating bottom side Southwest last week but will take confidence from its 77-67 home win over Willetton in round 11.
Willetton finished the year on an eight-game winning streak to secure top spot with a 19-3 record and are strong title favourites.
Click here to read the full game by game previews.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photos by Marg Prior & Mick Cronin
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