AUS - WNBL Round 12 preview

SYDNEY (WNBL) - In the final round of defencejobs Women's National Basketball League action before a two week Christmas break, four games will take place.

First placed Sydney Uni (11-3) will take on third placed Canberra (10-4) in Canberra on Thursday before backing up against the AIS (1-12) the following night.

Then on Saturday, second placed Adelaide (11-3) will suit up against fourth placed Bulleen Melbourne (9-6) in Adelaide and the Townsville Fire (7-8) will play last placed AIS (1-12) in Townsville.

Both the Dandenong Rangers (8-8) and the Perth Lynx (2-15) have the round off.

 
Canberra vs. Sydney Uni: Southern Cross Stadium
 
ABC Game of the Week: Broadcast on ABC2 from 8pm AEDT Friday, replayed on regular ABC-TV at 4pm on Saturday and again on ABC2 at 12:30pm on Sunday.
 
This game sees the league's best attacking team up against the league's best defensive team.
 
Sydney Uni average 83 points per game and have six players – Natalie Porter, Mikaela Dombkins, Eva Afeaki, Trish Fallon, Michelle Musselwhite and Kristen Veal – that average double figures in points per game. Comparatively, Canberra only concedes 64 points per game – the least of any team.
 
The Capitals are undefeated in their seven home games this season but will face a Flames outfit that leads the league in 3-point shooting percentage, assists per game and are equal leaders in field and free throw shooting percentage. They also turn the ball over the least of any team.
 
Canberra's hard nosed defence, courtesy of Captain Kellie Abrams, Kiwi international Donna Loffhagen, 18-year-old star Abby Bishop and defencejobs Opal Tully Bevilaqua, will need to be displayed if Uni's up-tempo play is to be negated.
 
The defending champions will rely heavily on Jess Bibby (16.6ppg) and Tracey Beatty (12.0ppg) offensively, but Bibby will be under intensive defensive pressure from Flames duo Alicia Poto and Kristen Veal.
 
During the week, Canberra released US import Jackie Stiles from her one-year contract following a rib injury that prevented her from training.
 
Eva Afeaki needs 10 rebounds for 500 WNBL rebounds.
 
LAST TIME THEY MET: Sydney Uni 87 def Canberra 64 in Sydney (Round 6).
 
 
AIS vs. Sydney Uni: AIS Training Hall
 
Yet to face each other this season, these two teams will play three times in the next four rounds.
 
Sydney Uni are firmly entrenched in the top two and possess one of the deepest line-ups in the competition. The AIS in comparison have won only one game this season, so a Flames W looks a safe bet.
 
To the AIS's credit, they never die wondering and as a result lead the league in blocked shots per game with 6.
 
Expect Flames mentor Karen Dalton to give the likes of Brianna Hennessy, Rachael Herrick, Melissa Smith and Georgia Woodyard increased court time in the lead up the finals.
 
The game looms as a great test for in form AIS forward Cayla Francis, who will match up against former Opal captain Trish Fallon and WNBL star Nat Porter.
 
Sydney Uni hold a commanding 35-8 head-to-head lead overall between the two teams.
 
LAST TIME THEY MET: Yet to play each other.


Adelaide vs. Bulleen: Distinctive Homes Dome
 
With this season's head-to-head tally at 1-all, this game will decide the series split.
 
Both teams are coming off tough losses to potential finals opponents – Adelaide were smashed 81-54 by Canberra and Bulleen lost to their Victorian rival Dandenong 70-62.
 
Lightning duo Erin Phillips (hamstring) and Kristen Rasmussen (ankle) are under injury clouds and it is unclear whether they will play.
 
Adelaide is the best rebounding team in the competition and while Bulleen are strong on the defensive end, their offensive rebounding is lacking.
 
The Boomers rely heavily on their starting five of Hollie Grima, Sharin Milner, Desiree Glaubitz, Karen Ashby and Deanne Butler – with four averaging over 31 minutes and all five tallying 10 or more points per game. No other Bulleen player averages more than 8 minutes per game.
 
defencejobs Opal Hollie Grima, who averages 17.9 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, will have her hands full against Tracey Gahan, Sam Woosnam, Rebecca Duke and Rasmussen.
 
Fighting for a place in the final four, this match starts a tough stretch of games for the Boomers. Next round they travel to Sydney and Townsville and then they host defending champion Canberra the following week.
 
Sharin Milner needs 2 assists for 500 for and 24 points for 1000 with Bulleen.
 
LAST TIME THEY MET: Bulleen 84 def Adelaide 77 in Bulleen (Round 2)

Townsville vs. AIS: SeaFM Stadium
 
Townsville hold a 2-0 head-to-head season lead and have to win this clash to keep their slim playoff aspirations alive.
 
Townsville averages 79 points per game and leads the league in field goal percentage on the back of Renae Camino (18.0ppg) and Rohanee Cox (16.7ppg), yet still they sit two wins outside the top four.
 
This could be attributed to the same duo sitting third and fourth respectively in the league for most turnovers per game, while the whole team sits second in with 16 per game.
 
Despite averaging a mere 60 points per game this season, the AIS has a chance to post a decent score against the Fire who themselves concede 74 points per game – third worst in the competition.
 
Cayla Francis (12.0ppg), Marianna Tolo (8.0ppg) and Katie Ebzery (8.0ppg) have had consistent seasons and their performances will be key if the AIS is to record their second win of 2006/07.
 
The AIS will also need to manage the input of Townsville trio Tania Heritage (8.0ppg), Claudia Brassard (6.0ppg) and Rachael Flanagan (6.0ppg).
 
The AIS have not beaten Townsville in Townsville since February 2002.
 
LAST TIME THEY MET: Townsville 90 def AIS 65 in Canberra (Round 9)
 
 
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