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MELBOURNE's season appears to be on the brink with the Boomers coming off twin unexpected losses to clubs at the lower end of the WNBL table and now hosting sinking Sydney, then facing the might of towering Townsville ... and facing both of those matches without star import Jordin Canada.

The WNBA combo guard is still out of this round with concussion protocols after requiring four stitches when she and Canberra's Jade Melbourne crashed during the second quarter of the Caps' home win.

Jade's teeth opened a gash on Canada's head - the latter got the foul of course, the match was in Canberra after all - and now the Boomers tonight host a Sydney which is coming off the worst weekend in its WNBL history.

The Flames lost by 40 - that's 40! - in Perth, then by 22 at home to Townsville, the value of absent Opals captain Tess Madgen (knee) never more stark.

Madgen is likely to be back in the lineup, with Sydney busting to leap back into calculations while also tying its season-series with Melbourne, having lost to the Boomers at home earlier this season.

The Flames must make a statement and handily catch the Boomers at a particular low point. It also is the first trip "home" for championship Boomers in Madgen and Cayla George, who will be anxious to make some sort of statement.

Sydney's performances last round were so utterly dismal that the Flames dropped to the lowest rung on our Rankings table, Canberra's win over Melbourne lifting it out of the league dungeon for the first time this season.

They lost by a basket to Lightning in their first meeting, both teams coming into this one off victories over Melbourne.

If Bendigo is to make any noise at the season's business end, it must beat Sydney, while Perth at home will present a big challenge for erratic Southside.

ROUND 8 TIPS
Sydney must atone for its pitiful Round 7 and Boomers will be its victim.
Unlucky to lose at home to Adelaide last time, this should be Win #2 for Caps.
Bendigo is falling off the pace but won’t beat Sydney, if it is at full strength.
Having cooked Flames twice, Perth is ready to plonk coal in Southside’s stocking.
Townsville will flex its muscles against understrength Melbourne.

WNBL RANKINGS – WEEK 7
This          Last
Week       Week   Club
  1               2        Townsville (8-1) Will have a cosy Christmas as by far the No.1 team.
  2               4        Perth (6-3) Getting the job done and can take Flyers this time.
  3               3        Southside (6-3) Managed a split last round but were not convincing.
  4               1        Melbourne (6-3) Down, and staring squarely at a defining 0-2 round.
  5               7        Bendigo (3-6) Improved last week but playoff dreams may go up in Flames.
  6               6        Adelaide (3-8) Good split road trip last round but Capitals are surging.
  7               8        Canberra (1-8) Finally rewarded and can build against incoming Lightning.
  8               5        Sydney (4-5) Quite the fall from grace but season can swing back this week.