1. Lakeside Lightning (1st, 24-2) - In many ways, it's unfair that the minor premiers have to face a team that have won nine of their past 11 games in the quarter-finals. Despite that, Lakeside are still heavy favourites for the title and rightly so. They've won 16-straight and haven't lost at Lakeside Recreation Centre - where two of the three games will be played - all season. However, they did have a few less than convincing performances in the final few weeks of the season and will need to improve to get past the Eagles.

2. Wanneroo Wolves (2nd, 18-8) - The Wolves head into the playoffs in a slump, having lost three of their past four games. But they'd already wrapped up second spot when that run started, which probably explains it to a large extent. They'd have to be concerned by giving up 129 points to Stirling last week, including 20 in the five-minute overtime. Wanneroo did beat quarter-final opponents Willetton by 64 points the last time they met though and should be far too strong.

3. Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks (4th, 17-9) - The biggest thing working against the Hawks is their difficult draw. First they must get past an inconsistent but dangerous Stirling side, before having to beat the minor premiers or the in-form Eagles just to make it to the Grand Final. But the Hawks have performed brilliantly under pressure and have won the tight games time and time again. They'll have to do that throughout the playoffs to win the championship.

4. Australian Central East Perth Eagles (8th, 15-11) - The head-to-head tiebreaker which saw the Eagles finish eighth was certainly a huge blow to their finals hopes. But if they can get past Lakeside in the first round, East Perth would have to be viewed as one of the title favourites. They've won nine of their past 11 games and one of those losses came without Drew Williamson. Beating the Lightning will be incredibly difficult, but East Perth are in great form. If they can win game one, they have a chance of causing an upset.

5. Cockburn Cougars (3rd, 18-8) - Cockburn may have finished third, but there are certainly some areas of concern heading into the playoffs. Amazingly, the Cougars have won just three of their past 11 games against teams which made the top eight, a streak which dates back to the middle of April. Despite that, Cockburn has shown it is a talented team that fights tremendously hard and could cause some damage in the playoffs. Will also go in high on confidence, having won their past four games.

6. ATD Stirling Senators (5th, 15-11) - With seconds left in the season, it looked like the Senators would finish eighth and face Lakeside, but luckily for them, they got the four-way tie they were desperate for and will instead face the Hawks. In many ways, a three-game series suits the Senators because of their inconsistency, as if they slip up in one game it isn't the end of the world. This Stirling team is dangerous heading into the playoffs and Lee Roberts and Michael Jones will cause any team headaches. They have a pretty good shot of causing a first-round upset.

7. Perth Redbacks (6th, 15-11) - So much for the Redbacks depends on Jesse Wagstaff. He will miss at least game one of the quarter-finals because of his Boomers commitments, but if he impresses in the training camp and continues to earn selection with the national team, the Redbacks may not get him back at any stage. That would be such a huge blow, since the Wildcats forward adds much-needed defensive and rebounding ability to the Redbacks, but they showed last week they're still dangerous without him by beating East Perth without him or Daniel Maddox. Could cause a first-round upset, but it's hard to see the Redbacks going all the way.

8. Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers (7th, 15-11) - Is it a case of 'no Tovey and no Knight means no hope for Willetton'? It's tough to write off the defending champions, but there's not much to support the case that they could win another title. Their two Wildcats stars will play no part in the quarter-finals and almost certainly won't play, regardless of how far Willetton go. The last time the Tigers played Wanneroo, they lost by 64 points. It's nearly impossible to see them turning that around and upsetting the Wolves.

Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Mick Cronin

Follow the SBL on Facebook