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Rankings #23 ... and that's that
TweetTHE penultimate round of NBL will be the definitive end for a couple of clubs after another record-breaking weekend last round.
Crowds were huge, Chris Goulding was massive and, as usual, several results did not fall as expected.
It sets up a great weekend again, though why there is no Saturday game is a mystery to rival the Mary Celeste.
Still resonating for me from last round is Goulding's 50-point haul for the Tigers against Sydney. That was definitely a throwback to a bygone era the NBL has been trying to recapture.
Two other moments were actually dunks by "old guys" - the first a wicked Peter Crawford throw down over Jesse Wagstaff at The Jungle. That was a throw down throwback by PC which should not go unmentioned.
The other was by Gary Ervin off a lob pass from Mitch Creek which brought fans at The Fortress out of their seats.
There's a picture of Ervin dunking for the Hawks floating around on Twitter but you know these days... with photoshop... fading memories... missing witnesses - it was great to see him pull one out "live" in what, again, was a great round of roundball.
Opals coach Brendan Joyce must have run out of players at 33 when this week's squad for the World Championship in Turkey was revealed.
I'm guessing Michele Timms, Rachael Sporn and Trish Fallon were unavailable, judging by some of the selections - and omissions.
But 33 players? Really?
In a World Championship year? Months out from the tournament?
Are there any SEABL and State League players who might yet come into calculations?
I mean, seriously. Everyone understands there are players still active overseas and others injured so we need a bigger squad.
Most also embrace Joyce's inclusive-policy of giving kids with no real shot at this next team a look at the inner workings of the Opals.
But if we're dead serious about a Gold Medal, then surely 20 players - given 12 will make the final cut and most can name at least six of them now - might have been more appropriate.
While I support Brendan's strategy of getting more potential Opals involved in various camps, right now, heading down the path to Turkey, I don't believe that serves the immediate purpose or understand the point of extending false hope.
That said, like every Aussie basketball supporter, I wish every girl the best of luck in the Gold Medal quest.
THE Taipans are having their end of season dinner on Saturday night, with two rounds to be completed and still a mathematical chance of making playoffs.
Makes as much sense as retiring a guy's singlet while he's still playing...
Or maybe Cairns is taking a leaf from BA's example of revealing WNBL award winners before the regular season was done.
Congratulations too to Dandenong Rangers for their club MVP dinner this week. That puts the Rangers one awards dinner up on BA.
Looking forward to Townsville Fire's awards dinner too. That will make it WNBL clubs 2, BA 0.
REMISS of me not to mention how good it was to have the smooth pro Bill Woods back on the ONE-Ten call recently and also to congratulate Nathan Strempel on his good work on the sidelines on Sunday as Chris Goulding went on his scoring marathon.
Woods and Strempel - the perfect balance of old and new.
NBL Rankings
This Wk - Prev
8 (8) BREAKERS – At 14 up and losing by 13, it's hard to believe NZ is doing anything but going through the motions.
7 (4) CROCODILES - A big road crash and with injuries, season now cannot end soon enough.
6 (2) HAWKS - Losing at home to Cairns was expensive but Wollongong can bounce back in Townsville.
5 (5) KINGS – Could not stop Chris Goulding but the Breakers don't have a dead-eye.
4 (7) TAIPANS - An important road win but a loss to Melbourne ends the (pipe)dream.
3 (3) 36ERS – Holding steady but this is a tough round with Perth and Sydney.
2 (6) TIGERS - Back where they belong after two convincing wins.
1 (1) WILDCATS – Only the rivalry with Adelaide matters this round. Cracker game coming up.
THIS WEEK'S TIPS
SYDNEY has to get the job done at New Zealand if it wants to have any momentum going into the playoffs – indeed if it wants to actually consolidate reaching the playoffs. The Kings are 0-2 since Jesse Sanders returned and this is the game in which it has to all come together.
PERTH has nothing at stake against Adelaide but anyone expecting this game to be “phoned in” doesn’t know either of these teams, these players, these coaches or these clubs. The NBL’s oldest rivalry has been revitalised this season to become relevant again and first-versus-second always matters. Leaning slightly to the 36ers.
UP in Cairns, they are still taking mathematics in relation to stealing a top-four berth but Melbourne found its missing game last week. So too did the Taipans, for sure, but this game isn’t in Wollongong and with the double-chance still at stake, expect the Tigers to roar.
WOLLONGONG and Townsville have Grand Final history and with this being Russell Hinder’s last home game, the Crocodiles will be hoping for a big send-off crowd at The Swamp. If Brian Conklin is still out though, the Hawks should overcome the emotion and sneak in. Conklin plays and the Crocs win.
ADELAIDE has had its issues with Sydney this season and selecting a winner for Sunday’s game is a tough call without knowing how their earlier matches in the round unfold. With others snapping at their heels, both clubs still have everything to play for and Adelaide may just have enough to slip past the Kings this time.
Online
Dear Romeo,
My death isn't the only thing I've been faking...
Sincerely, Juliet
