#WNBL20 Round 9 Preview
Bring it on.
That’s the feeling from the UC Capitals and Southside Flyers ahead of this weekend’s top-of-the-ladder #WNBL20 clash.
The reigning WNBL champions are the only side to inflict defeat on the 10-1 Flyers so far this season and the Caps feel they have improved since that Thursday night at Dandenong Stadium back in Round 5.
Point guard Maddy Rocci believes the Caps have gelled as a team and it’s showing.
“We’ve improved each game and there’s always little things we can fix up but I think after we had that pair of losses (to Melbourne and Sydney) we realised we needed to work on a few things,’’ she said.
“Everyone is getting better and knows their role for the team whether they play 3 minutes or 40, we’re playing as a team and that’s what helps us get over the line.
“Southside are a great team and have stars and players stepping up every week so it’s a good challenge to go in and play against them. They’ve improved and so have we so it’ll be a great game to see where we’re both at.”
Southside is flying high after claiming the Michele Timms Cup with a win over the Melbourne Boomers last weekend and had their 5 starters all score in double figures.
Round 9 match of the round
UC Capitals v Southside Flyers.
National Convention Centre. Sunday, 5pm*
Watch live on FOX Sports.
FRIDAY
Southside Flyers v Townsville Fire. Dandenong Stadium, 7.30pm*
Townsville are breathing fire and full of confidence after notching their second win of the season last round against Bendigo Spirit.
These sides met way back in Round 1 and while the Flyers prevailed, 81-72, the Fire were without Abby Bishop (concussion) who since returning has been in some top form averaging 18 points and 7 rebounds per game. Darcee Garbin (27 points) is fresh from a career-best game and along with Bishop comes up against Mercedes Russell.
Passed fit, captain Micaela Cocks will return after missing her first-ever WNBL game last weekend and go head-to-head with Leilani Mitchell. The point guard showdowns in #WNBL20 have been both telling and entertaining and this will be no different.
Watch Livestream via the WNBL website.
SUNDAY
Adelaide Lightning v Bendigo Spirit. Titanium Security Arena, 1pm*
Much is on the line in Adelaide for these 2 sides who are at contrasting crossroads of their campaigns.
The Lightning defeated Perth at home last round before losing to the Flames in Sydney in an upset result. The only saving grace for coach Chris Lucas was that Perth were run down by Melbourne, an Adelaide defeat and Lynx victory on Sunday would have seen Perth 1 win out of the top 4.
Adelaide remains in fourth spot with a 5-5 record with the Flames (4-7) and Perth (3-8) behind.
A true team effort will lift the Lightning back onto the winners list.
Bendigo went 0-2 in Round 8 and have lost their past 6 games. The Spirit have beaten Adelaide this season though and will pick the positives out of their Round 4 clash.
Watch Livestream via the WNBL website.
Perth Lynx v Melbourne Boomers, Bendat Basketball Centre, 1pm*
The Lynx and the Boomers meet for the second time in a week, this time on Perth’s home floor.
Perth would have been seething after giving up half and three-quarter time leads to fall to the Boomers last Sunday who had played, and lost to the Flyers, just 24 hours earlier.
Melbourne got a boost out of the character and grit showed in its last-quarter comeback and clutch plays from Maddie Garrick, Sophie Cunningham and Lindsay Allen.
Imani McGee-Stafford was superb on return from injury registering double-doubles against Adelaide and Melbourne last round. Alison Schwagmeyer-Belger is due for a big shooting night and her team needs it to be in this fixture.
Watch Livestream via the WNBL website.
Townsville Fire v Sydney Uni. Townsville Stadium, 1pm*
Confidence is high for the Fire and the Flames who both scored wins last weekend and the opportunity to bank consecutive wins for the first time in #WNBL20 will be a motivating factor here.
Townsville return home for the second leg of their weekend after travelling to Melbourne to face the league leaders, while the Flames will be fresh coming off a 7-day break.
Colleen Planeta was outstanding for Sydney last round, rewarded with Player of the Week honours. Alice Kunek is one of the in-form players in the league while the visitors are a better side for having Tahlia Tupaea back on court organising her team.
Watch Livestream via the WNBL website.
*All times are local