WNBL Round 6 Preview
Bidgee [CC-BY-SA-3.0-au (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/au/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons
Melbourne v Adelaide
Venue: State Basketball Centre
Time: 3PM
Saturday 9th November
Game televised on ABC.
Who's hot?
Melbourne: Chelsea Poppins - 23 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks - last week vs West Coast
Adelaide: Laura Hodges - 26 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists - last week vs West Coast
With both teams coming off comfortable wins against a lackluster West Coast side, confidence is at a high between the two clubs. With Melbourne and Adelaide both finding themselves in the top 4, a win will cement their spot for another week in the finals bracket. Laura Hodges (26 pts, 9 reb) and Chelsea Poppins (23 pts, 7 reb) both had stellar games last week for their respective squads and will be the key for either side to find the victory. In what should be an extremely tense and close game, I see home-court advantage being the key. Melbourne by 4.
West Coast vs Sydney
Venue: Alice Springs Basketball Stadium
Time: 7:30PM
Saturday 9th November
Who's hot?
West Coast: Antonia Edmonson - 20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists - last week vs Melbourne
Sydney: Rohanee Cox - 24 points, 9 rebounds - last week vs Townsville
After 4 drubbings in the past 2 weeks against the Spirits and Boomers, the West Coast Waves look to bounce back massively this week against a Sydney side who find themselves with an extra two losses after the Sunshine swing. With both teams at the bottom of the ladder - each with one win from the first round, expect a fierce and aggressive contest as both sides look to climb up. Deanna Smith has been a huge loss for West Coast in recent weeks, missing her presence on both ends of the court. Sydney will come back with a vengeance after losing both games last week, including Rohanee Cox's 250th against Townsville. With West Coast's poor form, I can't see them picking up a win. Sydney by 12.
Dandenong vs Canberra
Venue: Dandenong Basketball Stadium
Time: 7:30PM
Saturday 9th November
Who's hot?
Dandenong: Jenna O'Hea - 25 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals - last week vs Canberra
Canberra: Carley Mijovic - 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks - last week vs Dandenong
A short week after facing off in Canberra, both the Rangers and the Capitals find themselves butting heads again; this time in South-Eastern Victoria. The Rangers had the better of the Capitals last week, with the Rangers sneaking away with a close 6-point win after a late Alice Kunek three. Jenna O'Hea continues to be big for the Rangers, putting in 25 points to go with 9 rebounds and 5 assists in her last outing. Canberra played the majority of last week's game without star forward Abby Bishop, who left the game early with an injured ankle. Canberra should see their ability to keep the game close without one of their stars in Bishop as a big plus, and keep their confidence running high. With the strong play of former Ranger Carley Mijovic (19 pts, 5 reb), I foresee an upset should she produce strongly again. Capitals by 3.
Bendigo vs Canberra
Venue: Bendigo Basketball Stadium
Time: 2PM
Sunday 10th November
Who's hot?
Canberra: Natalie Hurst - 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists - last week vs Dandenong
Bendigo: Kristie Harrower - 11 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds - last week vs Dandenong
After winning the strongest looking team in the league with the star power of Jenna O'Hea and Alice Kunek, holding them to only 51 points, Canberra are going to be at a stretch for any chance of a win against Bendigo. Kristie Harrower (11 pts, 10 ast, 5 reb) and Gabi Richards (15 pts, 11 reb) are both in-form for the Spirit, with strong games against Dandenong last week. Canberra, coming off a game against Dandenong the night before their match-up with Bendigo, will need to play a flawless game for any chance of a win against second-place Bendigo. Bendigo by 9
Logan vs Townsville
Venue: Logan Metro
Time: 2PM
Sunday 10th November
Who's hot?
Townsville: Suzy Batkovic - 17 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists - last week vs Sydney
Logan: Emma Langford - 21 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists - last week vs Sydney
The last game of the week sees Logan and Townsville face-off in the Sunshine state battle. With each team coming off 9- and 10-point wins respectively against a travelling Sydney squad, a close game should ensue. Last time these two teams faced each other in Round four, Townsville got the better of Logan by 13 at home. Reigning MVP Suzy Batkovic had her best game of the season last time out with 18 points and 11 rebounds (7-13 shooting, only time in the season she has shot 50%+), and will be crucial to Townsville pulling off the double against Logan. The Thunder put in a great performance last week against the Flames, with Emma Langford going head-to-head with Sydney star Rohanee Cox. Scoring 21 points on 8-14 shooting, she was the difference between the win and the loss. Spectacular on the scoring end the week before against the Flames with 21 points, she'll be the key to a possible Logan victory. However, with the dominant presence of Suzy Batkovic, followed by a strong supporting cast of Micaela Cocks and Kayla Standish, I think that the Fire can pull out the sweep against their local rivals. Townsville by 6.