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THERE is a very strong likelihood Melbourne Boomers beating Southside Flyers for the Michele Timms Trophy will be the club's only comfort as the best-of-three WNBL semi final series unfolds from tonight, Penina Davidson (calf injury) a massive out for the Purple.

Davidson was hugely influential in the Boomers' early-season domination and when she went down against Townsville, Melbourne's fortunes also hit the skids.

Her absence from the New Zealand Tall Ferns also proved costly as they missed Paris Olympic qualification by the narrowest of losses in a game where another Boomer, Tera Reed, severely was concussed.

Reed returns tonight but the fact will remain that regardless of this series' ultimate result against crosstown rival Southside, Melbourne will not once this season have been able to put its first-choice nine on the floor.

Jordin Canada (concussion), Monique Conti (AFLW), Sara Blicavs, Keely Froling, Naz Hillmon, Kristy Wallace (knee), Tera Reed (concussion), Penina Davidson (calf), Aimie Rocci (knee) have never suited together for a single game.

Plans disrupted much? 

Southside also had to stop and review mid-season how the season was going. It meant "Sixth Woman of the Year" Leilani Mitchell was promoted into the Flyers' starting quintet, with Nyadiew Puoch relegated to the bench.

It brought Southside home strongly and after beating Townsville in the last round of the regular season, it had first place wrapped up. Well, not quite. Adelaide Lightning lowering the Flyers' colours reopened the door for Townsville, who stomped on Sydney to reclaim the pinnacle pole position.

Southside's big advantage tonight will be its "Triple Towers" of star import Mercedes Russell, Lauren Jackson and Carley Ernst, giving it a glaring size edge.

It should ensure Southside goes into Saturday's Game 2 holding a 1-0 series advantage.