Qabl 2009

[Tropo]

Thought I would start of a thread on the QABL for 2009.
Anyone catch Aaron Grabau's perfect game on Friday against Townsville ?
Does Rockahmpton have another powerhouse team this season ?

[GordonG]

Beware the Marlins...

Four from four to start the season, and with no restricted players.

[mball]

Five from five now with Deba George putting on a highlight reel during the 132-63 drubbing of Toowoomba.

Gotta feel for those mountain men. Where was Piok Piok?

[mball]

Cairns Marlins (without their NBL players) made good use of their bye and played at the Arafura Games in Darwin, being unbeaten and winning the gold medal game last night.

[mball]

Where are all the QBL fans/scribes this season??

[GordonG]

Where are all the QBL fans/scribes this season??

Having a bye :)

[mball]

Having a bye :)

Obviously, but I meant the "other" ones ;)

[GordonG]

And now six from six... Even a certain eminent (hairless) Townsville supporter figured Marlins were going to win this one. :)

[GordonG]

Make that 7 from 7. Gladstone got comprehensively dismantled...

[glockers]

I thought the boards were dead, but I see they are back. Anyway this weekend Gladstone v Bundaberg is going to be massive.

Bundy women beat Gladstone and they are legit title contenders. Kisha Lee is at least WNBL quality. Lee and Gandy vs Hurst and Bibby will be awesome.

I look forward to seeing Human Victory Cigar visit Rum City.

[GordonG]

Eight from eight...

[GordonG]

Nine from nine...

[mball]

:D
Missed last night's game, will make it to the next one.

[GordonG]

Ten from ten...

[GordonG]

Ten from eleven... Ooops...

[GordonG]

Eleven from twelve and Ipswich did not have a happy trip to Cairns...

[GordonG]

Twelve from thirteen - 3rd position Mackay really copped it last night...

[GordonG]

Missed a couple - now 16 from 17 and 'only' Rocky to go...

This game will be webcast live, according to QBL, link from here: http://www.courtlive.net/qbl.php

[mball]

Good gritty win last night. Missed Deba due to ankle injury but fantastic to see a couple of the youngest Marlins play the final two minutes (one very much a local product)!

Roll on Rocky next week.

BTW Excellent photos GG - thank you.

[GordonG]

MARLINS SEASON COMES DOWN TO FINAL GAME

Cairns Basketball fans couldn’t have asked for a bigger finish to the 2009 Queensland Basketball League regular season.

The first-placed Cairns ‘Bartercard’ Marlins face the second placed Rockhampton Rockets in the Marlins final regular-season game at the Fish Tank.

The stakes are as high with the winner of this game skipping the Quarter Finals and then getting the easiest Semi Final opponent with a home court advantage on Friday, August 14.

With so much on the line it will be the toughest challenge the Marlins have faced all year. The Rockets are the reigning National Champs and are the only team to defeat the Marlins this season (95-87 in Round 10 @ Rocky)

The Marlins currently stand with a 16-win & 1-loss record for 2009 and will have to be at their defensive best to combat the size and the scoring ability of the Rockets, whose line-ups contains several NBL players, including guard Rhys Martin & the 7-foot Justin Brown.

Marlins Head Coach Aaron Fearne said the team needed to be extremely sharp going into the big-game ahead.

“We have been pretty good defensively the last few games and we need to be at the intensity level and higher when we come out on Friday,” Fearne said.

“Rockhampton have threats all over the floor so the guys will have to be ready from the start and locked into their match-ups.”

Fearne also touched on the intense rivalry between Cairns & Rockhampton.

“We have developed a pretty big rivalry with Rocky over the past few seasons,” Fearne said.

“They always have a large and noisy crowd whenever we play down there so we are hoping our fans come out in high numbers and get behind us in a bigger and better way.”

The Marlins game tips-off Friday night, July 31 at 8:15pm. The ‘Down Under Tours’ Dolphins play beforehand at 6:30pm. For ticket information please contact Cairns Basketball on (07) 4041-2145.

[GordonG]

And 17 from 18 to finish off the regular season and take the rights to host the finals. It wasn't easy, but then, it shouldn't have been. 3 points at the finish and the Marlins go straight to the semis.

[Derek]

QBL Finals: Men

Sat 8th Aug
#2 Rockhampton 93 (R Golson 21) def #4 Mackay 69 (T Blanchfield 22)
#3 Brisbane Capitals 108 (B Castle 26) def #6 Northside 94 (C Tragardh 33)
#10 SW Metro Pirates 110 (B Teys 34) def #9 Gold Coast 100 (S McGregor/S Tilby 30)

Fri 14th Aug: Semi-Finals
#10 SW Metro Pirates at #1 Cairns
#2 Rockhampton v #3 Brisbane Capitals (in Cairns)

Sat 15th Aug: Championship Game
Winner SF #1 v Winner SF #2 (at Cairns)

QBL Finals: Women

Fri 7th Aug
#3 Gladstone (Port City) 98 (N Hurst 40) def #2 Rockhampton 68 (R Haynes 25)

Sat 8th Aug
#4 Caboolture 74 (S Grant 1 def #8 Maroochydore 66 (A Browne 26)
#5 SW Metro 55 (E Brady 13) def #7 Gold Coast 54 (L Smith 22)

Fri 14th Aug: Semi-Finals
#5 SW Metro at #1 Townsville
#3 Gladstone Port City v #4 Caboolture (in Townsville)

Sat 15th Aug: Championship Game
Winner SF #1 v Winner SF #2 (at Townsville)

[glockers]

In the men I say it is between Cairns and Mackay. Rocky have several weaknesses despite looking good on paper. Cook and Fitzgerald was solid for Mackay, but Jackson and Blanchfield really have put them over the top.

Cairns are still so good. When Giordano is earning splinters instead of minutes it speaks volumes of the depth there.

In the women Gladstone are actually way over rated, they have had some dodgy results with Bibby and hurst playing. I will tip Rocky to win it all (tho I have no real confidence).

[scottgcau2]

I'd say it's pretty much between Cairns and Cairns for the championship but the grand final will likley be Cairns v Rocky.

Rocky haven't lost a game at home for quite some time now and were only edged out by a small margin in the only game @ Mackay where they had their whole team. They'll get past the Meteors.

I'd expect Brisbane to win through v Northside unless Gibbo suits for the Wiz. Brisbane would have to play a blinder to trouble Rocky in the Semis and Northside probably would be a longshot too as Davis will not play on a Friday and continuing ? mark over Gibbo's availability.

[buddybee]

As the Marlins are getting ready for the QABL finals, I read about there not being any National finals format a few weeks ago.

Does anyone know why there are no Nationals this year?

Marlins had a real shot at making the National semi and possibly the grand final.

[buddybee]

Well, the semi-finals are done and dusted.

Rockhampton were victorious in their game against the Brisbane Capitals. I can't remember the score but it was over a 15 point gap.

Cairns also won against the SW Metro Pirates. The score was 115 to 78. :dance:

The results were expected from both these games by quite a few people. The Grand Final will be a tight game and am really looking forward to it. The Rocky team have brought some vocal supporters with them and it showed in the game against the Capitals. See how they go against the Cairns crowd.

[GordonG]

The place was rocking last night, but for the Grand Final I'll be surprised if the roof stays on :D

[Derek]

On the women's side of things, the Townsville Flames were disappointing in going down to the SW Metro Pirates 82-77; the Flames led by 10 with 4 minutes to go.

The Port City Power will meet the Pirates in the championship game; the Power were pushed to double overtime by Caboolture, but the Suns just couldn't keep pace with them in the second extra period, losing 108-95.

The final is tonight in Townsville from 7pm.

SOUTH WEST METRO PIRATES 82 (C Scanlon 20 E Brady 18 S Brown 15) def TOWNSVILLE HEAT 77 (L Ward 17 S Page 15 K Dalgliesh 12).

PORT CITY POWER 108 (N Hurst 37 J Bibby 36 D Neves 19) def CABOOLTURE SUNS 95 (T Edwards 35 S Grant 24 K Williams 17) in double overtime.

DN

[Some Devil]

SOUTH WEST METRO PIRATES 82 (C Scanlon 20 E Brady 18 S Brown 15) def TOWNSVILLE FLAMES 77 (L Ward 17 S Page 15 K Dalgliesh 12).


DN

Townsville Flames, silly. You wish the Heat could've made the playoffs. Buncha girls. So I guess your post is apt. Apt!

[buddybee]

For all the Rocky readers, don't read on.

All the Cairns readers who weren't at the game, read on!!!

Cairns are the STATE CHAMPIONS!!!! Score was 113 - 81.

Depending on whose point of view, the refereeing was fine. The Rocky supporters didn't think so considering the name calling.

Kerry Williams was named the Grand Final MVP.
Nice to send Joel out with a win.

CAIRNS MARLINS - STATE CHAMPS!!!!

[Derek]

Townsville Flames, silly. You wish the Heat could've made the playoffs. Buncha girls. So I guess your post is apt. Apt!

I call them the "Fire" occasionally too. It's a gift.

The Port City Power won the women's division tonight, downing the South-West Metro Pirates in overtime after being 8 down with 2 minutes to go in regulation.

DN

[GordonG]

Beware the Marlins...

Four from four to start the season, and with no restricted players.

I warned you... :D

[Tropo]

well done to the Marlins
Shame there is no National Finals this year as I reckon they would have gone close
Last time the Marlins had a good season it translated to a good year for the Taipans

[Andy K]

I call them the "Fire" occasionally too. It's a gift.

The Port City Power won the women's division tonight, downing the South-West Metro Pirates in overtime after being 8 down with 2 minutes to go in regulation.

DN

Bibby & Hurst were just too good this year, Congrat's to Gladston. Can someone tell me if Traci Edwards has been picked up by any WNBL team yet, her numbers this year have been fairly good and she is still only young. Logan should look at picking her up for the coming WNBL season but maybe she is going to the US for collage, anyone know?

[hendrix]

I was up in Cairns for the finals.. and I agree that team could have given the nationals a big shake.

Kerry Williams, Grabau, Brebner, Ro Gray, Deba George, Nello and the rest of the crew were tough.

Home court advantage was massive for them too as I thought they got the best of the calls in their semi and the final. I'm not saying the calls in any way, shape or form it cost anyone a game, because the Marlins were by far the best team. Still, I think the refs might learn a thing or two from the experience. Not a lot of consistency on show and too many calls given to guys who've played NBL etc. They got away with things others didn't.

but like i say, the best team certainly won. Very impressive!

why did they scrap nationals anyway? too many Queensland teams for the liking of other states ;P

[catcountry]

why did they scrap nationals anyway? too many Queensland teams for the liking of other states ;P
The ABA fell apart after Central champs Sturt decided not to front at '06 Nationals because they felt they were uncompetitive and it would be a waste of money. Central have no imports due to salary cap and also had to fund their own trip to nats. BA hosted the tournament for last 2 years but Waratah going the way of SA and Big V restructuring as a state league made it unviable. Would still love to see SEABL champs VS QABL champs in a north-south challenge would be interesting

[Derek]

2009 QBL Award Winners – MEN

Most Valuable Player- Cameron Tragardh (Northside Wizards)
Coach of the Year- Leonard King (Mackay Meteors)

2009 QBL Award Winners - WOMEN

Most Valuable Player- Kirby Dalgleish (Townsville Flames)
Coach of the Year- Mark Wrobel (Townsville Flames)

2009 QBL Award Winners - OTHER

Referee Awards:
Referee of the Year - Toni Caldwell
Rookie Referee of the Year - Tom Slattery
Referee Recognition of Service - Kaye Hart

Development League:
Men’s Most Valuable Player – Jonathan Mines (South West Metro Pirates)
Women’s Most Valuable Player – Sarah Ambrose (Logan Thunder)