With finals just around the corner, From the Bleachers takes a look at the possible conversations some fans in the grandstands might be having convincing their mates why their team will win the Championship this year.

 

Some of these conversations might be realistic, belong in dream land, lighthearted, perhaps even delusional, but one thing that is for sure, I have learned that when you listen to the most parochial of fans, anything is possible and logic not a given.

 

So here’s my early take (as a fan of each team of course) to why the current Top Eight, as they sit, can win the Championship. 

 

8. Kalamunda Eastern Suns- The “Big 3”- Barr, Mijovic and Moyle have been the “Big 2 and Half” for most of the season with Moyle being out of the line-up and having a disrupted season. August and early September sees Moyle hit her straps in fitness and in form and with their offensive powers combined they are in with a real chance. To actually capitalize, the team improves their defense dramatically and begins to limit their opponents closer to 60 points in every game- allowing them to win the title. This Suns team can score, we just need to get the ball back by stops.

 

7. Perth Redbacks- One of the most potent offensively capable teams in the competition will fire in August through to early September. We will shoot close to the mid 40s in field goal percentage. Rebecca Benson will hit the corner three relentlessly, Ash Gilmore will own the mid-range and drop her favoured baseline fade away repeatedly, Lisa Wallbutton will own the key way on both ends of the floor and Ajay Jones will command the backcourt along with strong points contributions from Bianca Donovan and Gabby O’Sullivan. Can it happen, well of course- we do have at least 5 players who possess WNBL experience over the years.

 

6. Mandurah Magic- The team outruns their opponents in finals time and commands the transition game to overcome their lack of size against some the bigger teams. The two imports keep on keeping on and are joined by Milo, Bree and Emma Klazstorny, Rachel Halleen who contribute double-doubles on any given night. They do a terrific job defensively in the half court and their pressure results in the opposition having to force low percentage shots away from the paint. Milo caps off stellar performance in the Big Dance and wins MVP for the game. Season over!

 

5. Lakeside Lightning- The Lightning’s Ali Schwagmeyer goes on a one-player mission to destroy her opponents, owning the boards on both ends of the floor and becomes virtually unstoppable on offense. This is backed by history’s legacy of three point bombs coming from all parts of the court for anyone in purple and white just making it near impossible to get in the game for our opponents. Opposition teams try to get back in the game, but the Lightning defense just keeps forcing turnovers and steals. Young gun Ash Grant becomes a defensive monster against the opposition while Devanny King becomes a 20 and 10 player all the way through to the Championship run. Lightning wins the Championship for 2016.

 

4. Perry Lakes Hawks- Doccy Smith stays injury free- no the whole team stays injury free and are firing on all cylinders during the finals. What does “firing” involve for the Hawks? Doccy being the stats stuffer that she is, Toni shutting down the opposition’s best wing/guard scorer while getting near triple doubles and Lauren Jeffers having a more favourable assists/turnover ratio and getting to the free throw line with accuracy. Add in Sarah Donovan commanding the paint and offering an inside presence while limiting the opposition big and that will cap it of nicely. Having Emily Burton contributing from the bench as she has been and Kate Anthony holding some accuracy from the perimeter and CJ’s fourth year will yield a Championship.

 

3. Willetton Tigers- The Tigers keep the games close and pounce in the fourth quarter by virtue of their big game experience. Malpass, Harper, Lobb, Tomlinson, Napier, Kelley and Antonio all know WINNING and are very familiar with how to best lift that trophy. These girls don’t need to do anything other than execute and follow the coach’s game plan. If they stick close to their opponents by the fourth, they will win because they know how to execute on both ends of the floor. Oh and I’m sure that last result in 2015 they will want to make amends for. What better way than winning in 2016. Out comes the team song!!

 

2. Joondalup Wolves- Everyone knows the type of season that Klara Wischer is having and it continues right through to the Grand Final. Nikita Martin also continues to do what she has been doing since she played in the SBL and there is no stopping her as they keep the 1-2 punch thing going. But that’s not why they win. They win because Ellyce Ironmonger anchors the middle not only in defense but also in offense where she becomes double threat inside pairing up with the Most Improved Player in the competition, Amy Kidner. Between the two posts they contribute at least 35 points and take down 20 rebounds just as a minimum- not too hard a target for the talented duo. But for me a lot depends on PG Shani Amos. If she can drive the offense and set the tempo for the Wolves, it will be minimum 75 points for the Wolfpack. The ‘Pack won’t allow any team in finals to score more than 75 points. The only luck they will need is no foul trouble for any of the key players mentioned and Joondalup becomes Title Town yet again.

 

1. Rockingham Flames- The gems are all fit and the girls don’t muck around going undefeated through the quarters, semis and the GF. How? The same way they’ve won the last two. Sami completely owns the perimeter game and finds her normal multitude of ways to score. She brings down about 10 rebounds per game and gives the triple double a serious push in the games- she’ll get plenty of opportunity, as she’ll be on the floor the majority of the games anyway. Darcee Garbin is the true inside-outside big and gives her opposition player “fits” in trying to stop her perimeter shot or her off the dribble game. Jacinta Bourne keeps hitting perimeter shots and rips steals all over the floor. Tarsha Fletcher, Ash Sidebottom and Ella Kennedy are all serviceable contributors. Oh and they have Ibekwe who is virtually another “How do we stop her?!?!?” kind of player. Only injuries to Whitcomb/Garbin/Ibekwe will stop the “Three-Peat”.

 

*I've left out current 9th placed Cockburn Cougars- tough ask to beat both Mandurah and Joondalup to finish the season. If they do sneak in somehow, I'll be the first to sing their praises deservedly.

 

Dreams can come true, but only one set of dreams of course- depending on whom you cheer for!

 

Keep screaming From the Bleachers!!

Article by Vlad Alava
Photo by Grant Lauterbach