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THE mighty and unbeaten Perth Lynx may sit in top spot on the WNBL ladder, but Round 4 which tips off tonight will reveal just how genuine they are for post-season action, away from the safety and security of Bendat Stadium for the first time this season.

This could not be a worse or more challenging time for the Lynx to run into championship favourite Southside Flyers but that's exactly who they face tonight in Melbourne.

A road trip to face a team which already has lost twice when some were predicting close to a season clean slate, truly will test the mettle of the Lynx.

Southside losing to Melbourne was not a huge shock but losing to Adelaide last round certainly was. Perth already has beaten the Lightning and will take confidence from that and also the fact it opened the year by beating another red-hot title-contender in Sydney.

Can the Lynx get the job done in Melbourne, then return home and beat defending champion Townsville?

If they can, then definitely pencil the Lynx in for post-season participation. If not?

Then the manner in which they go down will play a role in determining whether the team has the type of character necessary to be considered a contender.

And the same applies to Adelaide. Taking down Southside and holding it to a pathetic 56 points while winning by double figures was a feather in the cap of Lightning coach Nat Hurst and burgeoning star Izzy Borlase.

Backing that up by beating Townsville would be a massive result, the Fire now also recognising they have a monumental target on their backs with every team bringing its A-Game when they find this fixture on the schedule.

ROUND 4 TIPS
Southside at home should be fired up for Perth after last round’s shock.
Adelaide’s big test but may find Townsville’s talent depth formidable.
Sydney starts favourite but Bendigo is our dark horse to break through.
Townsville in Perth means another challenge for the Lynx and likely an L.
Traralgon is unlikely to see Caps upset Melbourne in their regional clash.

WNBL RANKINGS – WEEK 3
This          Last
Week       Week   Club
  1               1        Melbourne (4-0) escaped last round and can take no Caps prisoners.
  2               4        Perth (3-0) Will need help for Aari to compete with Flyers and Fire.
  3               3        Townsville (2-1) Doomsday Double trip spells all-or-nothing now.
  4               6        Adelaide (2-2) Challenge now is to cut down a second big-time rival.
  5               2        Southside (2-2) Will need to find more offence to bounce back over Lynx.
  6               5        Sydney (2-2) Should beat Spirit but need help to support Nicholson.
  7               7        Bendigo (0-4) Griffin‘s return changed this dynamic. Time for an upset?
  8               8        Canberra (0-4) Playing well without winning is joyless, but expect the same.