Ultimate game guide: Boomers charge towards last game before Finals

January 16, 2019 | Melbourne Boomers news

The Deakin Melbourne Boomers are gearing up for their last game of the WNBL 2018/19 home-and-away season before Semi-finals kick in.

The Boomers will take on the Dandenong Rangers in a classic Melbourne derby this Saturday night from 6:30pm at Dandenong Stadium.

The game forms part of the WNBL’s Lifeline Australia Round, an initiative driven by Boomers captain Jenna O’Hea, following the tragic loss of a family member last month. The round is all about shining a light on mental health and suicide prevention by raising awareness and funds for the national charity.

Every club will be donating $100 per three-point shot made by their team during Round 15, with that total raised then matched by the WNBL. You can make a donation to Lifeline Australia by texting ‘WNBL’ to 0427 992 713.

Having won both their previous games against the Rangers, the Boomers are in good stead to drill home the clean sweep of their series match-up. However, with it being the Rangers final game of their 2018/19 WNBL campaign, they are sure to put up a strong fight in order to end their season on a high.

Game updates can be followed through Boomers socials and the WNBL live stats.

Following the win against Adelaide Lightning last week, the Boomers have secured a second-place finish on the WNBL ladder and home-court advantage ahead of finals next week.

 

GAME DAY INFORMATION

WHEN: Saturday January 19

WHO: Deakin Melbourne Boomers vs Dandenong Rangers

TIME: 6:30pm tip-off

WHERE: Dandenong Stadium, Dandenong

TICKETS: For those eager to watch the Boomers in Dandenong tickets can be purchased online HERE.

LIVE STATS: Saturday’s game will not be televised. You can follow the Boomers socials and WNBL live stats for updates.

 

2019 FINALS NEWS

The Boomers will be soon taking on their second consecutive WNBL Finals! The dates for the Boomers Semi-finals are as follows:

  • Game 1: Sun Jan 27 (5pm) @ State Basketball Centre
  • Game 2: Thurs Jan 31 (Time/location TBC)
  • Game 3 (if necessary): Sun Feb 3 (7:30pm) @ State Basketball Centre

Keep updated across our WNBL website and socials (FacebookTwitter and Instagram) for all the important finals news and updates!

 

MERCHANDISE

Stock up on your Boomers merchandise at the Club’s online store before WNBL Finals kick-start next week!

 

TEAM NEWS

Deakin Melbourne Boomers

  1. The Boomers have locked in a home-court advantage and will host their first Semi-final on Sunday January 27 from 5pm at the State Basketball Centre.
  2. Boomers captain Jenna O’Hea has made the Round 14 WNBL Team of the Week following a stellar two-game performance. O’Hea also moved into the top ten for all time WNBL assists last weekend!
  3. Four Boomers players (Jenna O’Hea, Cayla George, Steph Talbot and Ezi Magbegor) were recently named in the 2019 Chemist Warehouse Opals squad.

Dandenong Rangers

  1. The Rangers have lost three of their last five games and currently sit in fifth-place on the WNBL ladder. With the play-offs already decided, the Rangers will not be part of this year’s WNBL Finals.
  2. Rebecca Cole, Sara Blicavs and Tessa Lavey have also all been selected in the newly named Opals squad.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Deakin Melbourne Boomers

Steph Talbot: Talbot was one of four Boomers recently named in the Australian Opals squad for yet another year. Talbot also starred in the Boomers latest win against Adelaide, firing four triples in the second half to help turn around the Boomers 9-point deficit in the third term to a 15-point victory.

Lindsay Allen: The last time these two teams met, Allen finished with 25pts and 4asts. Allen also currently sits third in the league for assists averaging 5.2 game and has accumulated 356 points for the season (a team highest!).

Dandenong Rangers

Rebecca Cole: Cole has scored a team-high 382 points this season, and recently earned her second WNBL Player of the Week award after her performances in Round 13.

Carley MijovićDespite a loss against Townsville last week, Rangers forward Mijović played an important role finishing with 13pts, 5rebs and 3blks.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Keep up-to-date on game day with our live coverage on Twitter (@MelbourneBoomer), get a behind-the-scenes insight on the day by following us on Instagram (@melbourneboomers) and like us on Facebook (facebook.com/MelbourneBoomers/).

 

GAME COVERAGE

The January 19 game is not being televised or livestreamed. Stay across our socials and the WNBL live stats for all the updates.

 

NEXT UP – FINALS!

Following the Saturday gamethe Boomers will play their first Semi-final on Sunday 27 January from 5pm at the State Basketball Centre.