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KEVIN Lisch will most likely make his NBL return against Perth, the club where he won a league MVP award, and a Larry Sengstock Medal and championship in 2010.

He won't be suiting tonight against the Breakers after being felled by a legal backscreen from Alex Loughton in the Hawks' season-opening road loss to Cairns, which already kept him out of Sunday's loss in Melbourne.

Lisch suffered a knee hyperextension but no significant structural damage. Hawks medical staff said the one week turnaround was too short a timeframe for a safe return to the hardwood, but the additional eight days following the Kings' game on Saturday would mean he should be right to return.

And that would be on Sunday, October 25, at his new home in the Sandpit, against the Perth Wildcats. Do you reckon that game won't have any spice?

GOT to say the halftime show at Vector Arena during the Breakers-Crocs match looked the best of what was revealed on TV in the backgrounds of the interval game reviews.

New Zealand naturally looked a better side with Tom Abercrombie and Alex Pledger back, but that weighed against the unexpected absence of "Iron Man" Mika Vukona.

His hamstring strain ended a run of 311 consecutive NBL games.

 

Player of the Week

THE WNBL agreed with B.O.T.I. this week in awarding Melbourne all-rounder Tess Madgen its Player of the Week honours.

We are still toasting that outcome, while lamenting how much of the league's new website is in American and not Australian.

 

NBL Rankings This Wk-Prev (Record)

8 (-) CROCODILES 0-2 - Plucky but unlucky, two road games won't help this round.

7 (-) HAWKS 0-2 - Lisch out means potentially staring at 0-4.

6 (-) BREAKERS 1-1 - Looked better with two studs back but far from terrifying.

5 (-) 36ERS 1-1 - Got to have everyone at 100% and maybe grab a rebound occasionally.

4 (-) TAIPANS 1-1 - Had a surprise slap in Sydney and must bounce straight back up.

3 (-) KINGS 1-0 - Trick now is to NOT take a backward step when Childress suits up.

2 (-) WILDCATS 1-0 - Suspect in backcourt until Damo suits but huge interior weapons.

1 (-) UNITED 2-0 - Balance was close to perfect, now five more home games in a row.

 

WNBL Rankings This Wk-Prev (Record)

9 (-) FIRE 0-1 - Losing at home to a team on its second leg? Not the best start.

8 (-) LIGHTNING 0-1 - Got to get rebounds and finish plays. Doesn't sound hard.

7 (-) FLAMES 0-1 - Will be better for run against Lynx and should grab a W this round.

6 (-) CAPITALS 0-1 - Not close yet to full strength but can surprise Flames.

5 (-) SPIRIT 1-1 - Showed plenty of spirit to rally in Townsville after earlier blow.

4 (-) LYNX 1-0 - Exactly the start they wanted but road will be a genuine test.

3 (-) BOOMERS 1-0 - Took care of business as expected but Perth will be tougher.

2 (-) RANGERS 1-0 - Good road win to open, can they dim the Stars?

1 (-) STARS 1-0 - Great way to start season and already in round's biggest matchup.

 

THIS WEEK'S TIPS

NEW Zealand opens the NBL round in Wollongong where Illawarra is continuing to draw great support from Rhys Martin-replacement Jarrad Weeks. But with Lisch out, that's the Hawks' starting backcourt missing against Cedric Jackson and Co. That may be too much to avert a third loss.

TOWNSVILLE at Sydney can do what the Kings did to Cairns and sneak up on them. With Sydney's Blitz blemish still fresh in everyone's minds - including Cairns' - it stunned the visitors by playing to its full potential. With Childress likely to be back, they start favourite but this could be tighter than expected.

HEADING into the lair of arch rival Perth is not exactly ideal, NZ likely to find the Wildcats less than hospitable.

AS expected, Melbourne shot out of the blocks and with five more home games coming, should establish a very solid foundation for a championship campaign. Can't see Adelaide unsettling that.

THE league's second oldest rivalry - the NSW Nuisance - sees Illawarra backing up in Sydney but with Josh Childress back, the odds swing to Sin City. Funny things happen in derbies though.

TOWNSVILLE will be keen to repeat some of its preseason form against Cairns in the round's other derby. This has classic Reptile Rumble written all over it, the Crocs chasing a win, the Taipans after redemption. Home side advantage sways this to Cairns.

CANBERRA at Sydney brings together two opening round WNBL losers in a rivalry which also has stood the test of time. Just now, the Flames look to have the slightest of edges but this one starts the round in high spirits.

ALREADY ranked #1 and #2, SEQ at Dandenong is arguably the match of the round and will test the bona fides of both outfits. At home, Larrisa Anderson's outfit looks a little steadier.

OFF to a flyer, Perth is at Melbourne and unlikely to enjoy the luxuries of home. Penaluna-Tomlinson, Kunek-Burton (Natalie in her first trip to her former stomping ground) are big matchups but the Lynx will have issues controlling The Lady Madge. 

THE FLAMES hit Adelaide where two stars of Sydney's 2015 preliminary final campaign - Leilani Mitchell and Mikaela Ruef - will be waiting. Early in the season, this is a win the Lightning can snag although Sydney's depth looks likely to get it across the line.

BACKING up in Bendigo will be no picnic for Perth, the inside battle between rebounding machine Louella Tomlinson and dual-champion Gabrielle Richards sure to be a fascinating contrast of styles. At home after dousing the Fire, the Spirit look to have this covered.

AFTER a slightly embarrassing home loss to Bendigo, Townsville will be revved up to send Canberra packing and has the tools to do it. Don't expect a second consecutive home slip-up from the Fire.

 

KNOCK KNOCK

Who's there?

The Crocs

The Crocs who?

Ah, you must be from Townsville then...