Game Preview: Caps seek two in a row against Geelong United
Has everyone had time to breathe?
Fresh off a thrilling one-point win Thursday night against the Townsville Fire, the UC Capitals will get back on the road this weekend and look to make it two in a row as they face off Geelong United in Geelong.
It’s a quick turnaround for the Caps as they face another Froling sister, and another familiar face in Gemma Potter.
“It’s great to go into a short turnaround with a win. We’re going to take a lot of momentum and everyone’s up and about,” said captain Jade Melbourne.
“It’s a good opportunity for us to learn how to be winners now, and learn to not get too high.”
Against the Fire, the Caps turned in it’s best defensive effort of the season holding the visitors to 80 points and only 32 in the second half. The team would need to replicate that effort against Geelong, who will be well rested after picking up their second win of the season last Saturday in overtime against Adelaide.
After a tough and physical encounter against Alicia Froling, Charli Collier and the rest of the Caps frontcourt will be up against her sister Keely, who is currently averaging 19.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game to lead Geelong. Supporting her is Atlanta Dream guard/forward Haley Jones (12.5ppg, 7.3rpg, 3.8apg), Elissa Brett (9ppg), and Jaz Shelley (8.8ppg, 3.8rpg, 3apg).
“They’re big, their guards are very big, Haley Jones is a big guard, we get to play Gemma, obviously Keely we know well about, so it’s going to be a challenge for us,” Coach Paul Goriss said.
The Caps will once again rely on the all-around brilliance of Melbourne, who has increased her scoring average this season to 19.2ppg while shooting better from the field (45%) and the free throw line (87%) and maintaining her stellar rebounding (4.4) and playmaking (6.1).
Chantel Horvat has been another bright spot for the Caps. In her first season in the WNBL, the versatile veteran forward has steadily found her groove scoring in double figures in four straight games. She is second on the Caps in scoring (12.8ppg) and also helping out on the boards and providing solid defense both on the perimeter and in the interior.
Adjusting to the physicality and the officiating in the league, Charli Collier finally had her most impactful game against the Townsville Fire. Saddled with early foul trouble, Collier heated up in the second half, scoring 13 of her 15 points, and displaying her versatile shot making, while also showing glimpses of her playmaking ability. More importantly, Collier avoided picking up another foul after halftime, allowing her to impact the game for the Caps during critical stretches.
The Caps face Geelong United on Saturday, 23 November at the Geelong Arena. Tip off is at 5pm and if there are any Caps fans travelling or in the area, tickets are available here. The game will also be shown on 9Now.