Finals Fever
Men’s QBL
Townsville Heat, currently first in Division and first overall
Record: 13-3
Recent Form: (4-1)
Remaining Games: Mackay (A), Toowoomba (H)
Outlook: Townsville are still in with a chance of hosting the Grand Final series if results go in their favour, but if results do not go their way they can also miss out on the finals completely. For Townsville to keep destiny in their own hands they need to beat Mackay in Round 14. The Heat have already played Mackay twice this season, with each team winning a game apiece, but Townsville will need to call on all of their big game experience to defeat a Mackay team who have only lost at home once this season.
Projected Finish: 14-4, third in Division, fourth overall, misses out on finals.
Mackay Meteors, currently second in Division, second overall.
Record: 12-3
Recent Form: (5-5)
Remaining Games: Townsville (H), Gladstone (A), Rockhampton (A)
Outlook: Mackay have the most difficult run home of any team in finals contention. Luckily for the Meteors they are the form team of the competition having won their last ten games. If Mackay win their three remaining games they will host the Grand Finals series, however one loss would see them drop out of the race to host the finals and two losses would most likely see them miss the playoffs completely. The Meteors were in a similar position last year and surrendered their number one spot to Rockhampton in the last Round; giving them plenty of incentive to ensure the same thing does not happen this season.
Projected Finish: 14-4, first in Division, second overall, home Quarter Final against Rockhampton
Rockhampton Rockets, currently third in Division, fourth overall
Record: 10-4
Recent Form: (4-1)
Remaining Games: Ipswich (A), Toowoomba (A), South West (A), Mackay (H)
Outlook: Rockhampton have a difficult schedule to end the season embarking on a three game Road-Trip to South East Queensland in Round 14 and then playing rivals Mackay in the last Round. If the Rockets lose any of their remaining four games, they will be relying on either Townsville or Mackay to finish on top of the table to qualify for the finals. However, if the Rockets do win their last four games they will sneak into a finals spot regardless of who finishes first. With the depth the Rockets have in their roster it is hard to see them dropping a game on their SEQ Road-Trip setting up a Round 15 showdown with Mackay, who defeated the Rockets 93-82 earlier this season.
Projected Finish: 14-4, second in Division, third overall, away Quarter Final against Mackay
Northside Wizards, currently first in Division, fifth overall
Record: 10-5
Recent Form: (4-1)
Remaining Games: Gladstone (A), Bundaberg (A), Brisbane (H)
Outlook: Northside are guaranteed a place in this year’s playoffs, but are locked in an intense battle with Brisbane to determine who takes out the number one seed in Pool B. The Wizards face a challenging Road-Trip to Central Queensland in Round 14 and then face Brisbane in the final week of the regular season, which could determine the number 1 & 2 rankings in Pool B. After a difficult middle part of the season, the Wizards appear to be gaining momentum at the right stage of the season and will be a difficult team to face in the Quarter-Finals, especially if Chris Goulding is fit and firing.
Projected Finish: 12-6, first in Division, fifth overall, home Quarter –Final against Toowoomba.
Brisbane Capitals, currently second in Division, sixth overall
Record: 10-6
Recent Form: (3-2)
Remaining Games: Maroochydore (H), Northside (A)
Outlook: Brisbane are also certain to make an appearance in this year’s Playoffs. The Capitals have struggled against the top teams in recent weeks losing to Townsville and Gold Coast; however they can still claim top position in Pool B, if they take care of Maroochydore in Round 14 and then defeat the Wizards by more than 11 points in the final Round. Statistically Brisbane have one of the most potent offense in the league averaging 86.38ppg (2nd in league) at 46.5% (3rd in league) and if Garlepp fires they have the ability to make some noise in the playoffs.
Projected Finish: 11-7, second in Division, sixth overall, away Quarter-Final against Ipswich
Gold Coast Rollers, currently first in Division, third overall
Record: 12-3
Recent Form: (3-2)
Remaining Games: Toowoomba (H), Caboolture (H), Maroochydore (A)
Outlook: Providing the Rollers win their three remaining games and the Meteors drop at least one game, Gold Coast will become the first southern team in four years to host the Grand Final series. The Rollers have a favourable run home playing teams with a combined record of 8-36; however their match with Toowoomba in Round 14 is a danger game, with the Mountaineers being one of the form teams of the competition over the past month. Gold Coast have had to overcome an horrific injury toll and the loss of Adam Gibson to boomers duties, but the late season addition of Thalo Green will help cover some of their losses.
Projected Finish: 15-3, first in Division, first overall, hosts the final series.
Ipswich Force, currently second in Division, seventh overall
Record: 8-7
Recent Form: (2-3)
Remaining Games: Rockhampton (H), Maroochydore (H), South West (A)
Outlook: The Force recorded a confidence boosting win over Bundaberg in Round 14, to end a three game losing streak. Ipswich are another team who have had their battles with injuries this year losing gun big Tim Behrendorff to a season ending injury and point guard Luke Cann to a long term rib injury. Cann should be back in time for the playoffs and his energy in offense and defense will give the Force a spark. Ipswich’s place in the playoffs is secure, but they will be looking to build on their win against Bundaberg to take some momentum into the finals.
Projected Finish: 10-8, second in Division, eight overall, home Quarter-Final against the Capitals
Still in the hunt
Toowoomba – After two winless seasons, the Mountaineers have been the most improved team in the competition this season and will make an appearance in the Playoffs, if the Rollers finish on top of the ladder.
Women’s QBL
Mackay Meteorettes, currently first in Division, first overall
Record: 14-1
Recent Form: (5-0)
Remaining Games: Townsville (H), Gladstone (A), Rockhampton (A)
Outlook: Mackay have lost just the one game this season to Gladstone way back in Round 1. The Meteorettes will get their shot at redemption though, playing the Power in the last week of the regular season, in a game which will ultimately decide who hosts the Grand Final series. Mackay’s success this season has come from the talent they have across the court, with Willey, Allison, McGrath, Freeburn and Zelenka all standing up at various stages throughout the year. The Meteorettes will need to call on all of their depth in the final Rounds of the regular season with three challenging games in front of them.
Projected Finish: 17-1, first in Division, hosts final series
Gladstone Power, currently second in Division, second overall
Record: 13-2
Recent Form: (3-2)
Remaining Games: Northside (H), Mackay (H), Bundaberg (A)
Outlook: Gladstone have endured a tough month losing games to Cairns and Rockhampton. The Powers structure has suffered with Jessica Bibby being called into the Opals squad. Fortunately for the Power WNBL player Natalie Hurst will make a welcome return to the team in Round 14, giving the side a major boost in their quest to host the Grand Final series for the second consecutive year. Gladstone have a difficult end to the regular season playing teams with a combined record of 35-11, with their match against Mackay likely to determine who finishes the season on top of the table.
Projected Finish: 15-3, second in Division, second overall, home Quarter-Final against Rockhampton
Cairns Dolphins, currently third in Division, fifth overall
Record: 11-6
Recent Form: (1-4)
Remaining Games: Toowoomba (H)
Outlook: Cairns have gone from the huge high of becoming the first team of the season to defeat the Power, to now relying on other team’s results to qualify for the finals. For the Dolphins to make the playoffs they must defeat Toowoomba in Round 15 and hope that Rockhampton loses at least two of their remaining four games.
Projected Finish: 12-6, fourth in Division, fifth overall, misses out on finals
Rockhampton Cyclones, currently fourth in Division, sixth overall
Record: 9-5
Recent Form: (4-1)
Remaining Games: Ipswich (A), Toowoomba (A), South West (A), Mackay (H)
Outlook: The Cyclones finals chances looked dead and buried only a few weeks ago, but upset victories over Cairns and Gladstone have them on the brink of qualifying for the playoffs. However, the Cyclones still have some work to do; needing to win three of their last four games to secure their spot in the finals. Rockhampton have a three game Road-Trip in Round 14 playing games against Ipswich, Toowoomba and South West, followed by a huge clash with the Meteorettes in Round 15. Rocky showed in Round 13, that they will not be affected by the loss of Tegan Cunningham with Romeo, Clifford and Tomlinson all taking their games to another level.
Projected Finish: 12-6, third in Division, fourth overall, away Quarter-Final against Gladstone
Bundaberg Bears, currently first in division, third overall
Record: 13-3
Recent Form: (5-0)
Remaining Games: The Bears secured their spot in the playoffs weeks ago, ending their association’s years of finals oblivion. In a worrying sign for opposing team the Bears have been steadily improving throughout the season and have the talent in their line-up to take them through to the Grand Final. However, the Bear title credentials will be tested in their last two regular season games, playing both of last year’s Grand Finalists Northside and Gladstone. The Bears have already defeated the Wizards once this season and in the form that they are in will be confident of making it 2-2 over Northside.
Outlook: Northside (H), Gladstone (H)
Projected Finish: 14-4, first in Division, third overall, home Quarter-Final against the Rollers
Northside Wizards, currently second in division, seventh overall
Record: 8-7
Recent Form: (3-2)
Remaining Games: Gladstone (A), Bundaberg (A), Brisbane (H)
Outlook: The Wizards inconsistent form this season is reflected in their 8-7 record. However, the Wizards place in the finals is safe and they can make a statement in the final two Rounds of the regular season with strong performances against Gladstone and Bundaberg. Northside shocked the league last season making it through to the Grand Final by defeating Townsville in the Semis. If Maenpaa and Harris can fire for the Wizards in the playoffs a fairytale run is possible this season as well.
Projected Finish: 9-9, second in Division, eight overall, away Quarter-Final against Ipswich
Ipswich Force currently first in Division, fourth overall
Record: 10-5
Recent Form: (2-3)
Remaining Games: The Force have been battling for form of late, losing three of their last five matches. However, the Forces form in the earlier part of the season was so good, that it has given them the luxury of being able to drop a few matches down the stretch and still qualify for the playoffs. Ipswich will want a strong showing against the Cyclones in Round 14, to prove to themselves that they can compete with the top teams from the North. Ipswich will be hoping that Emma Langford and Ezria Parsons can maintain their exceptional form heading into the playoffs.
Outlook: Rockhampton (H), Maroochydore (H), South West (A)
Projected Finish: 12-6, first in Division, sixth overall, home Quarter-Final against Northside
Gold Coast Rollers currently second in Division, fourth overall
Record: 6-9
Recent Form: (2-3)
Remaining Games: Toowoomba (H), Caboolture (H), Maroochydore (A)
Outlook: The Rollers appear to have found form at the right time of the season, having won their past two matches. Gold Coast should not have too many problems winning their remaining three games with Toowoomba, Caboolture and Maroochydore only having a combined total of five wins between them for the season. The Rollers frontcourt duo of Carine Reimink and Jade Davis have been outstanding for the team all season and if they both perform in the playoffs, the Rollers could definitely cause Bundaberg a few problems in their likely Quarter-Final match-up.
Projected Finish: 9-9, second in Division, ninth overall
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.