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THAT battle for the top four heats up into overdrive this week in Round 7 of the WNBL, Perth now boasting a 5-3 win-loss record and its opponent tonight - Sydney - on 4-3. And let's not forget the season opened with the Lynx thumping Sydney 85-71 in Perth, Aari McDonald with 18 points and six assists, Anneli Maley with 21 boards.

Those are numbers which no doubt still trouble Flames coach Guy Molloy, though he will be buoyed by the fact Opals captain Tess Madgen was absent from that season-opener.

Not only has Madgen returned but she is having the expected impact, although Sydney last round barely got out of jail, beating Adelaide 66-64 and Canberra 72-70.

Those aren't what you'd call very impressive wins but this is THAT season, when just snaring the W is like finding gold.

Perth also only beat Adelaide 98-96 and it took the Lynx overtime to get it done. It suggests one hell of a contest to start Round 7.

How big is Southside versus Townsville? The Flyers won their first meeting on a late shot, surviving a last basket, and can clinch their season-series by going 2-0 up here. This one will certainly have a playoff atmosphere and potential finals ramifications.

Canberra's decline started last round when it was belted by Townsville but it will be heartened by the fact it took the Boomers to overtime earlier this season and did it in Melbourne.

Melbourne bounced back from its home loss to Perth with a 31-point win in the west so if it does not come in presuming this is a W, it should have too much in its armoury for the Caps.

Bendigo beat Adelaide in Adelaide so you'd expect it to repeat that in Bendigo. But Lightning were so stiff twice last round that this may be their statement win.

Sydney backs up at home against Townsville in another match with playoff implications. It also will be the first match of Fire championship winner Lauren Nicholson against her former team in Sydney, sparking additional attention.

Having beaten Lightning in Adelaide after a painfully slow start, Melbourne must start favourite at home while in Bendigo, the Spirit will need to dig deep to make up the 25-point loss it suffered last round at Southside.  

ROUND 7 TIPS
This time Sydney will be better prepared for Perth and should make it 1-1.
They won on the road so the Flyers should have the edge on Townsville at home.
As usual, Canberra will play its heart out but Melbourne will be too deep and organised.
Bendigo must start favourite at home to Adelaide but an upset here would not surprise.
Sydney's "Big 3" face their biggest test against champion Townsville. Sensing an upset. 
Melbourne at home should again have the answers for a young Lightning crew. And Bendigo, at home, has a 25-point road loss last round to Southside to make up. It seems unlikely.

WNBL RANKINGS – WEEK 6
This          Last
Week       Week   Club
  1               3        Melbourne (6-1) Showed its best last round. Can go 2-0 this time.
  2               1        Townsville (6-1) A 2-0 weekend would justify title favouritism.
  3               4        Southside (5-2) Travelling nicely and even a 1-1 split would be OK.
  4               2        Perth (5-3) Took a belting but bounced back. Flames win is vital.
  5               6        Sydney (4-3) Can overtake Lynx but champs will be challenging.
  6               7        Adelaide (2-7) Season slipping away amid string of youthful errors.
  7               5        Bendigo (2-5) A split expected but must improve against Flyers.
  8               8        Canberra (0-8) Danger now is unrequited efforts may signal decline.