Finals Time

[Dene15]

Okay, enough of this rubbish talk about the Lynx, Rangers, Flames etc. Let's get straight to the finals which I believe is going to be absolutely brilliant. Canberra may be sitting at the top of the ladder, but I really think a back in form Lightning or red hot Spirit team could really threaten the Caps.

This week's game between Adelaide and Bendigo is a game which I think the winner will make it to the Grand Final. It's going to be a huge game, I am leaning towards the Spirit in terms of form, but Adelaide being at home and possibly right back in form could see the Lightning take this one. My bet-Adelaide by 5 or less.

Friday night's game should be interesting, Bulleen definitely surprised me by winning last weekend without Hammonds but I'm not sure if their team can match the Caps. Hibbert and Milner need to have a huge games but I can't see Penaluna and Carr matching it with the likes of Bishop, Beatty and Tolo. My bet-Caps by around 11. Let's hope the WNBL can lift their image a bit in terms of professionalism and have the GF at a sold out AIS arena rather than a lousy local basketball court in front of a thousand or so people.

The game on Saturday should be an interesting one between the Fire and winner of Lightning vs Spirit. On paper I can't see the Fire winning, but they've proved all season that they are a class team and at home could prove the winner. Does anyone know where this game will be played? Surely TEC is the better option?

[misty hyman]

Friday night's game should be interesting, Bulleen definitely surprised me by winning last weekend without Hammonds but I'm not sure if their team can match the Caps. Hibbert and Milner need to have a huge games but I can't see Penaluna and Carr matching it with the likes of Bishop, Beatty and Tolo. My bet-Caps by around 11. Let's hope the WNBL can lift their image a bit in terms of professionalism and have the GF at a sold out AIS arena rather than a lousy local basketball court in front of a thousand or so people.

Why are you banging on about about a lousy local basketball court? Any finals game for the Capitals in Canberra will be played at the AIS as it is their home court, at least half the time. If another team holds home court advantage you couldn't possibly suggest depriving them the opportunity to host, or are you? Although, if Bulleen get the right to host, it would be great to move it to another a slightly larger venue to allow more people to attend, but it's their call.

[Dene15]

I'm not saying the hosting team of the GF should be deprived if they can't host it at a proper arena. I am just saying it's degrading to the league when we have the Grand Final held at a local basketball court. Be it when the Flames had it at Penrith, Dandenong Basketball stadium or even Knox Basketball stadium if Bulleen win the right.

[Left Field]

Friday night's game should be interesting, Bulleen definitely surprised me by winning last weekend without Hammonds but I'm not sure if their team can match the Caps. Hibbert and Milner need to have a huge games but I can't see Penaluna and Carr matching it with the likes of Bishop, Beatty and Tolo. My bet-Caps by around 11. Let's hope the WNBL can lift their image a bit in terms of professionalism and have the GF at a sold out AIS arena rather than a lousy local basketball court in front of a thousand or so people.

Why are you banging on about about a lousy local basketball court? Any finals game for the Capitals in Canberra will be played at the AIS as it is their home court, at least half the time. If another team holds home court advantage you couldn't possibly suggest depriving them the opportunity to host, or are you? Although, if Bulleen get the right to host, it would be great to move it to another a slightly larger venue to allow more people to attend, but it's their call.

Not all Finals in Canberra are played at the AIS. The best finals game I've been too was the Capitals v Townsville at Tuggeranong a few years ago when Canberra came back from about 15-16 pts down at 3QT. This weekends game is definately at the AIS, and I'd expect the Grand Final to be played at the AIS as well, if Canberra win on Friday, but there are a few issues that need to be ironed out, as the Brumbies are playing next door on the same night.

[misty hyman]

[quote=Dene15]Friday night's game should be interesting, Bulleen definitely surprised me by winning last weekend without Hammonds but I'm not sure if their team can match the Caps. Hibbert and Milner need to have a huge games but I can't see Penaluna and Carr matching it with the likes of Bishop, Beatty and Tolo. My bet-Caps by around 11. Let's hope the WNBL can lift their image a bit in terms of professionalism and have the GF at a sold out AIS arena rather than a lousy local basketball court in front of a thousand or so people.

Why are you banging on about about a lousy local basketball court? Any finals game for the Capitals in Canberra will be played at the AIS as it is their home court, at least half the time. If another team holds home court advantage you couldn't possibly suggest depriving them the opportunity to host, or are you? Although, if Bulleen get the right to host, it would be great to move it to another a slightly larger venue to allow more people to attend, but it's their call.

Not all Finals in Canberra are played at the AIS. The best finals game I've been too was the Capitals v Townsville at Tuggeranong a few years ago when Canberra came back from about 15-16 pts down at 3QT. This weekends game is definately at the AIS, and I'd expect the Grand Final to be played at the AIS as well, if Canberra win on Friday, but there are a few issues that need to be ironed out, as the Brumbies are playing next door on the same night.[/quote:3l8cfzlg]

If you are talking about the match when Gina Stevens was playing i am quite sure it was played at the AIS!

[ScoopJackson]

If you are talking about the match when Gina Stevens was playing i am quite sure it was played at the AIS!

Nope, it was at Tuggeranong. Jackson had 38 in that game. Jackson and Kerr were going at it all game if I recall and Jodie Datson had a blinder.

[Derek]

The game on Saturday should be an interesting one between the Fire and winner of Lightning vs Spirit. ... Does anyone know where this game will be played? Surely TEC is the better option?

It will indeed be at the Big House. :)

DN

[misty hyman]

If you are talking about the match when Gina Stevens was playing i am quite sure it was played at the AIS!

Nope, it was at Tuggeranong. Jackson had 38 in that game. Jackson and Kerr were going at it all game if I recall and Jodie Datson had a blinder.


Was that the SF or GF? I recall one game at the AIS where the Capitals only just got up over Townsville, who had Stevens and Datson, and I think Porter. I am sure that it was part of the finals series unless my memory is truly fucked.

If everything doesn't go the Capitals' way I reckon Townsville could get up this time. Indeed, me thinks any team could take this season's GF on their day. Although I understand the basketball's standing in Aus means it is impossible, but I wish the GF was best of three.

[Andy K]

Yep, The Grand Final should defiantly be best of 3, its the only really fair way to determine the best team.

[Left Field]

[quote="Left Field":1ig4bai0]If you are talking about the match when Gina Stevens was playing i am quite sure it was played at the AIS!

Nope, it was at Tuggeranong. Jackson had 38 in that game. Jackson and Kerr were going at it all game if I recall and Jodie Datson had a blinder.


Was that the SF or GF? I recall one game at the AIS where the Capitals only just got up over Townsville, who had Stevens and Datson, and I think Porter. I am sure that it was part of the finals series unless my memory is truly (Extremely Naughty Word!).[/quote:1ig4bai0]


It was the Semi-Final of the 2002/03 season (a few weeks after the Canberra Bushfires), the only time Canberra and Townsville have met in Finals. Stevens, Datson & Porter were playing, Porter had a big cry at the end of game, and followed it the following week with an even bigger cry after losing to Sydney (in OT IIRC) in the Prelim at home, their only home defeat of the season. Canberra then beat Sydney in GF, coming from 15pts down shortly after halftime.

Probably the best finals series in WNBL history as every game was extremely close, with no result greater than 5pts.


If everything doesn't go the Capitals' way I reckon Townsville could get up this time. Indeed, me thinks any team could take this season's GF on their day. Although I understand the basketball's standing in Aus means it is impossible, but I wish the GF was best of three.

I'd like to see the GF become a best of three series as well.

[Clips]

I heard the option was given for a Saturday night final, but the Caps are happy to be the opening act of a double header with the Brumbies next door.

They were pushing the Caps game pretty hard and the girls even did a lap of honour at the Brumbies abysmal showing tonight. A package will be released sometime during the week to be purchase a ticket for entry to both games.

[Adam]

The Canberra Times reports that the Grand Final will be played at 5-30PM on Friday 13th so as not to clash with the Rugby Union match. I can't imagine ABC changing their 8-00PM schedule to 5-30PM so we may have to be satisfied with a replay at 8-00PM. If so, not good enough!!

[Clips]

There will be 20, 000 + literally next door at 8pm. There's no way in hell they would try run against it.

[Dene15]

Have to talk about the Fire vs Lightning game and Townsville certainly played the better game. They completely blew Adelaide off the court. I think if Townsville play like they did yesterday in the preliminary final, they will be at the AIS arena in 2 weeks time.

Unlike most followers of the WNBL, IMO Adelaide did not have the team on paper to win a second straight championship. The loss of Erin Phillips, Jenny Whittle and Renae Camino was too big a hole for the only major Adelaide signing of Cayla Francis to fill. An ever inconsistent Jess Foley couldn't help the team week-in, week-out and Marino is too soft a point guard to be running the team. In other words, they didn't have the depth of last season and their back-court needed improvement. Marita Payne, though injured at the end of the season was never a huge presence around the hoop and thus didn't help Adelaide's cause...