Finals Basketball

[Andy K]

So with the top 5 set, who do you believe will take this years finals series? Can Bendigo win a finals game? Do Adelaide still have a chance at the Grand Final? & Can Bulleen win in the finals without Hammonds? :?: :?: :?: :?: :?:

[~Angel_Baby~]

I think Canberra are most likely to take the flag, as long as they have all their players well and fit. Bendigo are the dark horse and could possibly make it to the finals. Adelaide will be lucky to get there if they do make it to the final, and Bulleen won't win it if they don't have Hammonds.

[Adam]

It looks like Canberra plays Townsville in semi final 1 to decide who finishes 1st, with the winner going straight to the Grand Final. If Townsville won I wonder if the WNBL would play the Grand Final in Townsville?

[Andy K]

It looks like Canberra plays Townsville in semi final 1 to decide who finishes 1st, with the winner going straight to the Grand Final. If Townsville won I wonder if the WNBL would play the Grand Final in Townsville?

Yeah, I think they would play in Townsville, Its only fair. The winner of semi final 1 usually gets a home grand final. The court in Townsville is pretty good and im sure the crowd up there would get right behind the Fire and hopefully a huge crowd will turn up. :D
I forgot to leave my tip before, I think Adelaide are the dark horses but Canberra are the team to beat and should be favourites for the title. Tracy Gahan found some form on the weekend and is a key for the Lightning, Their team on paper is still equal to Canberra's IMO, They now just need to find some form this weekend before the finals.

[Left Field]

Townsville have to win in Bendigo and Bulleen this weekend before they are afforded the opportunity of defeat in Canberra.

[ScoopJackson]

Townsville only need to beat either Bendigo or Bulleen to get 2nd spot. I’m pretty confident they’ll get both this weekend.

And of course the wnbl would play the GF in Townsville should the Fire beat Canberra in the first round – there would be a riot otherwise! The Ent. Centre would be used if this was the case.

Townsville have been underestimated all season long, and the discussions on these boards only highlight this. Canberra are tough, but if the Fire can ambush them in that first finals game and have the GF at home – I think we’d be looking a Townsville title.

I might take this opportunity to also say that while I enjoy the WNBL on ABC every week, the ABC should hang their heads in shame for not once in 6 or 7 years of WNBL in Townsville broadcast a game out of Murray/NPA Stadium. Does anybody not from NQ actually have any idea what the Fire’s home stadium looks like?? It’s always noisy and would make for a great spectacle on TV – if the ABC can afford to broadcast 3 games in Logan this season, surely Townsville deserves one?

[Dene15]

If Townsville wins, they will be playing the GF at the entertainment, no doubt about it. They get great support and why they didn't play at least one game this season there is quite surprising. Especially as they have been in the top three this season and they used to have an annual game at TEC against Canberra.

Adelaide do not have as good a team on paper as Canberra. The lightning forward combination is equal to that of Canberra, but it's the back-court of the Caps that is far stronger. However, I think Adelaide have every chance of getting into the GF, if they snap out of their cold-streak, they are definitely going to challenge the title. T'ville don't have the players to be in the top two, but obviously they have been well coached and have played some brilliant basketball. They will challenge the Caps.

My biggest question and it is surprising that no one here has brought it up yet and that is the fact that who ever wins the major semi has something like a two or three week break before the finals. Is that not a bit too of a break between games? I think it could be a massive disadvantage for the winning team to have to wait that long for the GF...

[Left Field]

No team this year has got within ten points of the Caps in Canberra, and that includes Townsville who have already lost twice down here. They are a very good side and in Amy Lewis they have a great young up and comer, Aneka Kerr is possibly the most disliked player in the league, and you don't get that kind of rep without some talent and Flanagan is good PG, but they rely too heavily on Cox and Crouse to be capable of beating Caps in their backyard, and the Caps have the players and the depth to curtail their influence while still playing their game.
If they win one their final two games this weekend, I think the Fire will be playing at the Palace twice this finals series, but I can't see them winning either game. This is the most complete and possibly best team the Caps have ever put on the court, a sixth title in ten years is theirs and I can't see another team stopping them. But I could be wrong, I have been once. Maybe twice. :D

[~Angel_Baby~]

Also, don't forget that in the last match between T'ville and Canberra that the Fire won, the Caps were without Natty Hurst and they did not get beaten them by that much...

[ScoopJackson]

Do you really think Kerr is one of the most disliked players in the league?

She's tough and has a take-no-prisoners attitude, and isn't that what people like to watch in a game?

I think she's great and has been such an important part of the Fire's success this season. A lot is said about Crouse and Cox; and to a lesser extent Lewis.. but Kerr has been great on the offensive glass and her offensive output has also improved on previous seasons.

[Left Field]

I don't know too many Caps fans who like Kerr, she would always tangle with Jackson and more recently Bishop and would be quite aggressive, almost unsportswomanlike in some instances. I'm not sure if it happens against other clubs, but I remember 4 or 5 instances in Canberra where she has been a little underhanded in trying to get her opponent off their game.

Also she's a Kiwi. HUGE HUGE reason to diskile her. :D

[Andy K]

I like Kerr, She has been a hard working player in the WNBL for many years and is a consistent defender who can knock down the open shots. She doesn't turn the ball over often and normally plays on much taller players. Also she has been a loyal player to the leauge which i appreciate.

[ScoopJackson]

You're right Left Field, Kerr and Jackson have a had a few memorable tangles in the past.. but if you think that these were always instigated by Kerr, then you're eyes have unfortunately deceived you :lol:

[Left Field]

Jackson was no angel, but she wasn't the person trying anything and everything to stop the one of worlds best players.

[Dunkin' Dan]

Yes she was.

Oh wait, sorry, I'm thinking of Storm-Sparks games... you're talking WNBL... nevermind

[Left Field]

Wasn't that an Opals-Yanks game??

[Andy K]

How dissapointing not being able to watch Bendigo Vrs Adelaide this week. I think it will be an awesome game and i think Kristy will have a huge game but i doubt it will be enough to get Bendigo over the line. My tip is Adelaide by 19pts.
Canberra should be too strong for the Boomers but i will be cheering for the Boomers, Hopefully Hibbert will have a huge game as we know she can and i think anything is possible. My Tip Canberra by 11pts. Looking very forward to this weekend, and with extra finals matches this year it will surely be an exciting finals series. :D :D :D :D :D

[Dunkin' Dan]

How dissapointing not being able to watch Bendigo Vrs Adelaide this week.
Yeah, very disappointing.
Understandable of course. The scheduling is sensible, to allow the "proper" games to get underway without excessive delay, but I too would have liked to see this one.
Bendigo are playing some nice basketball right now so it has the potential to be quite a contest.

[Adam]

Home court advantage will play a big part in the playoff games. This season both Canberra and Townsville are undefeated at home, Bulleen, Adelaide and Bendigo have only lost 1 game at home, that's a total of 3 losses in 56 home games. Bendigo has no playoff home games and Adelaide only 1 regardless of the results. This attaches a lot of importance to the 1st semi as the winner hosts the grand final.

[Andy K]

Home court advantage will play a big part in the playoff games. This season both Canberra and Townsville are undefeated at home, Bulleen, Adelaide and Bendigo have only lost 1 game at home, that's a total of 3 losses in 56 home games. Bendigo has no playoff home games and Adelaide only 1 regardless of the results. This attaches a lot of importance to the 1st semi as the winner hosts the grand final.

Home court is always a good advantage but in finals its not as big advantage as in the regular season. Teams usually lift during finals matches and the home team can get nervous in front of much bigger crowds.

[Andy K]

Strong game by Adelaide, Can they now beat Townsville? I think it will be a very close game, Foley will need to make some shots in this game. Her form has been very dissapointing. :(

[Dunkin' Dan]

No comments about tonight's game?
Disappointing for Bulleen to lose obviously, but I thought they gave it a great shake considering they were on the road and without Hammonds. Wasn't until well into the 4th that the Caps finally broke free.
Was always going to be a struggle for the Boomers, being so height deficient compared to Canberra's monster lineup, and Bishop & Tolo were always a chance to be big factors. Tolo in particular was impressive I thought.
Carrie needs to take the double-teaming down a notch though. It nearly cost her dearly as time & time again the Boomers, who were having real trouble scoring one-on-one, were able to pass their way to open jumpshots courtesy of Canberra double-teaming when there was really no need to.
They're looking real good for the title though, especially if Hurst can get healthier. I assume the injury is fairly substantial as she wasn't much of a factor tonight. Extra week off would be just what the doctor ordered.

[Spirit Finger]

If Canberra are allowed to get away with the thuggery on defence that they displayed in the last 5 minutes last night, they'll have no problems winning this thing. It was shammockery of the game of basketball.

[Left Field]

No comments about tonight's game?
Disappointing for Bulleen to lose obviously, but I thought they gave it a great shake considering they were on the road and without Hammonds. Wasn't until well into the 4th that the Caps finally broke free.
Was always going to be a struggle for the Boomers, being so height deficient compared to Canberra's monster lineup, and Bishop & Tolo were always a chance to be big factors. Tolo in particular was impressive I thought.
Carrie needs to take the double-teaming down a notch though. It nearly cost her dearly as time & time again the Boomers, who were having real trouble scoring one-on-one, were able to pass their way to open jumpshots courtesy of Canberra double-teaming when there was really no need to.
They're looking real good for the title though, especially if Hurst can get healthier. I assume the injury is fairly substantial as she wasn't much of a factor tonight. Extra week off would be just what the doctor ordered.

Tolo has improved greatly this year under Graf, not sure you can say the same thing about Francis under Valk.

[Dunkin' Dan]

Mid way through the season I would have said the opposite was true. Tolo hadn't done a thing and Francis was rolling along nicely, but thankfully Tolo has reappeared since then.

[Left Field]

If Canberra are allowed to get away with the thuggery on defence that they displayed in the last 5 minutes last night, they'll have no problems winning this thing. It was shammockery of the game of basketball.

It was tough, aggressive defence by both teams which to the refs credit they allowed to continue for the full 40 minutes. To single out Canberra's 'thuggery' in the final 5 minutes when the standard had been set is weak, pathetic, gutless and more importantly shows a complete lack of knowledge of the game.

[Left Field]

Mid way through the season I would have said the opposite was true. Tolo hadn't done a thing and Francis was rolling along nicely, but thankfully Tolo has reappeared since then.

I didn't think Tolo was that bad early on, she was just taking a little longer to adjust to a more professional outfit, but the signs were there, especially on the defensive end which is where her greatest improvement has been.
But she was outshone by Francis' wonderful start to the season, early on I thought she was a shoe-in for MVP or All-star 5. By the end, I doubt she'd make a second-team (if one was chosen).

[Spirit Finger]

... is weak, pathetic, gutless and more importantly shows a complete lack of knowledge of the game.

Wow, are you sure you've got the appropriate adjectives?

If you didn't notice that the refs swallowed their whistles in the closing minutes, then we don't have a conversation here.

[Left Field]

[quote="Left Field":2kaz1pq2] ... is weak, pathetic, gutless and more importantly shows a complete lack of knowledge of the game.

Wow, are you sure you've got the appropriate adjectives?

If you didn't notice that the refs swallowed their whistles in the closing minutes, then we don't have a conversation here.[/quote:2kaz1pq2]

No I think my adjectives were pretty spot on, it's weak excuse made by pathetic individuals (generally fans of the losing team, but in your case maybe not) who are unwilling to except they were beaten by the better team.

Who cares if the refs "swallowed their whistles", it was the same playing conditions for both teams, the Caps just played better defence when it mattered most. Having watched the game at the Arena (You may have seen me, I was the guy with the bright yellow cap :D ), and then watching the final quarter a couple of time since, I noticed nothing wrong with the Caps defence. It was good, solid team defence that helped the team to finish first and WILL win them the championship.