1. Lakeside Lightning (second place, 3-0 record) - Lakeside's dominance can be so predictable at times that they almost fly under the radar. But a team with an average winning margin of 31.3 points is obviously really good. They still deserve to be favourites.

2. Australian Belt Scrapers Wanneroo Wolves (first, 4-0) - It's downright scary to think this could be Wanneroo without their two best players. Greg Hire will come back and Wildcats teammate Brad Robbins might. With or without those two, there's no doubt the Wolves could go back to back.

3. Perth Redbacks (third, 3-1) - Perth's defence was borderline shambolic last year, but they've made significant strides and it's paying off. Will really fancy their chances in their next four games, but a horrendous run awaits them after that.

4. Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers (seventh, 1-1) - While a narrow loss in Geraldton is nothing to be ashamed about, it showed an alarming lack in productivity from their locals. That'll need to change for the Tigers to win the title.

5. Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers (fourth, 2-1) - To beat Willetton with Ben Pepper only playing five minutes and without one of their imports is very impressive. Will struggle against Lakeside this week if they're again so under-strength though.

6. Cockburn Cougars (ninth, 1-2) - Stephen Charlton's side is showing some really positive sides despite still missing an import. Showed great character to win at Goldfields, bouncing back from two tough losses against really good teams. Should thrash Rockingham this weekend.

7. Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks (fifth, 2-1) - The Hawks are one of several difficult to read teams at the moment, but we're about to learn plenty about them. Over the next four rounds their one home game is against Wanneroo, with the three on the road against Willetton, Lakeside and Geraldton.

8. Mandurah Magic (sixth, 2-1) - If Taylor Mullenax stays fit all season, Mandurah can cause some damage. They'll shoot up the rankings if they can upset Perth this week, which comes before a run where they face the three bottom teams of this list in four games.

9. Silver Lake Resources Goldfields Giants (11th, 1-2) - A home loss to an under-strength Cockburn simply shouldn't be happening. They've got to beat Kalamunda this week because they're unlikely to win any of their following three games against Geraldton (away), Willetton (home) and Lakeside (away).

10. John Hughes Stirling Senators (10th, 1-2) - Describing Stirling as 'inconsistent' is nothing new, but it remains baffling. How a team beats Goldfields by 25 points then loses convincingly at home to Mandurah a week later is anyone's guess. Must beat the Eagles and Slammers this week.

11. People's Choice East Perth Eagles (12th, 0-3) - The only reason the Eagles stay as high as 11th after losing to the Slammers is the possibility of Drew Williamson coming back later in the year. Their rebuilding phase is necessary, but it's clearly bringing short-term pain.

12. Kalamunda Eastern Suns (13th, 0-3) - A horrific schedule to start the season has brought three heavy losses, but some relief could be on the horizon as they face East Perth and South West back to back after their trip to Goldfields this week. The Suns are still a real long shot for the playoffs though.

13. Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers (8th, 1-1) - How sweet victory is. Since round 11, 2009, the Slammers had won just one of 65 games until beating East Perth. With a little bit of confidence, they're some chance of upsetting the Senators at home this weekend.

14. Rockingham Peel Finance Flames (14th, 0-3) - With an average margin of 30 points in their three losses so far, things aren't looking good for the Flames. Brutally, their next four games are against Cockburn, Willetton, Mandurah and Geraldton but they'll be eyeing a round six home win over the Slammers.

Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Helen Theoharakis (Hoop Shots)

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