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ALL eyes are switched right onto early WNBL pacesetter Melbourne after the Boomers succumbed at home to Perth and now face the Lynx in their home lair this round. Melbourne's past three games have been less than impressive, also barely escaping Bendigo and Canberra who were 7th and 8th at the time.

The results serve to reinforce the contention this may well yet turn into the most even season on record, with Sydney also facing scrutiny after a week off and the chance to restart again in Adelaide.

The "Big 3" of Cayla George, Tess Madgen and Lauren Nicholson all are available, the Lightning licking their wounds after a narrow loss in Townsville and overtime demise to Bendigo.

The Flames further should rejuvenate their season at Canberra's expense, the Caps week-in and week-out showing great competitiveness while ultimately coming up empty.

Bendigo is on a mini two-win run but will sorely be tested by Southside in another game which will put both clubs' bona fides under the spotlight.

How Perth goes against Melbourne will play a role in its back-up against Lightning in Adelaide, as twin losses this round would take the home team to 2-7 and likely out of contention for any post-season play.

Then the Caps face the champs and worse still, the Fire's newest import, 193cm Swedish WNBA centre Amanda Zahui B (pictured).

She joins Townsville having played for New York Liberty, Washington Mystics, and most recently the Indiana Fever.

ROUND 6 TIPS
After a week off, Sydney should be ripe to send Adelaide’s season into a spin.
Melbourne must bounce back from its home Perth humiliation now in Perth.
Poor Canberra. Sydney will be rolling and it’s a likely hard-fought Caps loss.
Can Bendigo catch Southside out on the road? Flyers just a little too deep.
If Adelaide is to make any noise later, Perth is a must-win now. Lynx to win.
Canberra is going to catch someone out and soon. But Townsville? Probably not.

WNBL RANKINGS – WEEK 5
This          Last
Week       Week   Club
  1               1        Townsville (5-1) Doing just enough to warrant top seeding.
  2               4        Perth (4-2) Beating contenders Boomers, Flames is big.
  3               2        Melbourne (5-1) Sliding somewhat and challnged now to step up.
  4               3        Southside (4-2) Not who we expect yet but on the path.
  5               5        Bendigo (2-4) On a streak and a Flyers upset would be huge.
  6               7        Sydney (2-3) Should go back into the black this round.
  7               6        Adelaide (2-5) Unlucky but now slowly slipping off the pace.
  8               8        Canberra (0-6) May be best last-placed team ever. Cold comfort.