ROUND 3 Preview: Men

By James Woite

 

North Adelaide Rockets (2-0) v South Adelaide Panthers (0-3)

Saturday March 28; 8.15pm; Hillcrest

Although facing just their third rival of the season, the North Adelaide Rockets have the chance to match their 2014 win tally when they host the South Adelaide Panthers.

The Rockets are coming off a win at Hillcrest against Woodville – a triumph that broke a six game home losing streak against the reigning premiers. Five Rockets reached double figure points, with Aric Miller (22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals) and Tom Rowe (14 points, 7 rebounds) leading the way.

In contrast, it has been a disappointing start to the season for the Panthers, who have dropped three in a row. The Panthers put up a season high 87 points against the Eagles last weekend, but also became the first side this season to concede a century. Jeremy Smith and Shane Boal combined for 47 points in the 14 point defeat.

Based on form, the Rockets should win this comfortably.

  

Norwood Flames (1-1) v Forestville Eagles (2-0)

Saturday March 28; 8.15pm; Mars

The Forestville Eagles will have the opportunity to make it three wins from as many games when they visit the Norwood Flames.

Daniel Sims (33 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals) and Brad Haydon (18 points, 3 rebounds) were the high-point men as the Eagles flew over South last week. The Eagles also defeated Southern in Round 1.

The Flames lost their season-opener against West, before thrashing South the following day. The lack of a match last weekend means the Flames remain 1-1 ahead of their fixture at Mars. Matthew Lycett (16.5 ppg) and Andrew Webber (13.5 ppg) are the Flames’ top scorers so far this season.

The Flames swept the Eagles last season, but the Eagles’ positive start to this campaign suggests another win for the red and the blue is far from a foregone conclusion.

  

Southern Tigers (0-1) v Sturt Sabres (1-0)

Saturday March 28; 8.15pm; Morphett Vale

The Southern Tigers and Sturt Sabres meet at Morphett Vale on Saturday, following byes in Round 2.

In their only game so far in 2015, the Tigers went down to Forestville in Round 1. The defeat came in spite of 16 points from Craig Catford, and a further 14 from Matthew Williams.

The Sabres have likewise played just once so far, where they emerged victorious against 2014 Semi Finalists Centrals. Clifford Reed marked his debut with 22 points and 5 rebounds, while Dylan Rawson had 16 points. Tim Klaosen (13 rebounds, 10 points) was the only player on the night to register a double-double.

The Sabres have owned the Tigers at Morphett Vale, and nothing has happened so far this season to suggest the outcome will be any different this time around.

 

West Adelaide Bearcats (1-1) v Eastern Mavericks (0-2)

Saturday March 28; 8.15pm; Port Adelaide

The West Adelaide Bearcats will be hoping to bounce back from another agonising loss to Woodville when they face their first game in 13 days against the Eastern Mavericks.

The Bearcats had ample opportunities to hit the front in the final minute of their March 15 match, but after falling by two in the 2014 Grand Final, this time they went down by three. David Sturner has made a solid start to Premier League life, averaging 19.5 ppg, while Kurtis Phillips is averaging 15 ppg.

The Mavericks have been well off the mark in both of their 2015 matches, with their 20 point defeat to Centrals last week their second straight setback by 20 points or greater. The loss came in spite of double-doubles from Decorey Jones (21 points, 11 rebounds) and Jordan Dodman (11 points, 10 rebounds).

The Mavericks’ form thus far suggests a win should be a formality for the Bearcats.

  

Southern Tigers (0-1) v Norwood Flames (1-1)

Sunday March 29; 3.00pm; Morphett Vale

The Tigers and Flames will face a second game this weekend when they go head-to-head at Morphett Vale.

The Tigers have won three of their last four against the Flames, although those three wins have come by a combined total of just nine points.

The last time they met, the Flames beat the Tigers by 32. It was a major team effort from the Flames that day, with three players leading the way on 14 points.

If the Flames play as well as they did against the Panthers on March 15, where they won by 29 points, the Tigers will have a tough time keeping up.

 

 Sturt Sabres (1-0) v West Adelaide Bearcats (1-1)

Sunday March 29; 3.00pm; Pasadena

In the Match of the Round, the Sabres and Bearcats go head-to-head that could have a large bearing on where these teams rank come the end of the season.

Against the eight other teams in the competition last year, the Bearcats finished 9-7 in the regular season. So did the season. It was the Bearcats’ season sweep of the Sabres that caused the Port Adelaide side to make the finals at the expense of the Pasadena club.

These franchises have a strong recent history of competing in big matches. The Bearcats eliminated the Sabres at the Semi Final stage of 2011, one year after being beaten in the Grand Final by the Double Blues.

In recent times, the Bearcats’ have had the Sabres’ measure, so it will be interesting to see if the Sabres have something extra in the tank for this back-end of a double-header.




Comments

Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.

Refreshing your Website?

Mobile responsive websites made easy using the new Stack Commerce Website Theme. Subscribe and enhance your site using our range of Add On Features including an integrated Shop.

Laptops showing the Stack Commerce Website Theme.