1. Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers (1st, 18-4) - Although they already had the minor premiership wrapped up, entering the playoffs on two-straight losses has to be some concern for the Tigers. There's no doubting that they have more talent than any of the other teams, but they haven't put it together lately and looked particularly bad against the Eagles last Friday. Willetton should still go into the finals as the favourites though.

2. Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks (2nd, 17-5) - Before an under-strength Hawks side lost to Mandurah on Friday, they'd won 17 of their past 19 games, which is obviously an incredible achievement. Assuming they're fit for the playoffs, Perry Lakes deserve to be viewed as Willetton's biggest challenger and they should be too good for the Cougars.

3. Australian Central East Perth Eagles (3rd, 16-6) - The Eagles were mediocre in the first half of the season but it all clicked in the second half and they were dominant, winning nine-straight games. Sam Norwood is having an MVP-calibre season but they also have a dangerous back court, making them a real formidable side heading into the playoffs. The Eagles are a legitimate chance to win the title.

4. Glasscraft Wanneroo Wolves (5th, 15-7) - The Wolves won five of their last seven games in the regular season, but all of those wins came against sides outside the top eight. In that time they also lost to Willetton and East Perth, which continued a trend of sorts. Wanneroo won its first three games against teams which finished in the top four, but lost its last five. But the Wolves showed earlier in the season they have the right mix to challenge the top teams and they're talented enough to go all the way if they're at the top of their game.

5. Mandurah Magic (4th, 16-6) - One concern for the Magic has to be the fitness of Tarsha Fletcher. Such a vital player for the Magic, she heads into the playoffs in doubt with injury and that has the potential to be crucial. Despite that, Mandurah has still shown it is a dangerous side and if everything fell into place, this could be the year they break through for the championship.

6. Kalamunda Eastern Suns (6th, 12-10) - While they weren't anywhere near as consistent as any of the teams above them, Kalamunda had some impressive results during the season and could be dangerous in the playoffs. Less than a month ago, they were able to beat Perry Lakes and that has to give them some confidence going into the playoffs. East Perth is a very tough match-up though and an upset seems unlikely.

7. Lakeside Lightning (8th, 10-12) - The Lightning did enough to secure a top eight spot with plenty of room to spare, but their losses to Kalamunda and Mandurah in the final four games killed off any hope of climbing any higher. For the second-straight year they meet Willetton and it's going to be an incredibly difficult challenge, despite Willetton's form slump. It's far from impossible that the Lightning give the Tigers a bit of a scare, and perhaps even win one of the games, but a series victory seems extremely unlikely.

8. Metropolis Fremantle Cockburn Cougars (7th, 11-11) - The Cougars have made huge progress this season, but there was a drastic drop off in their results later in the season and that has to be a concern. After April 9, the Cougars played 10 games against teams which made the top eight and they won just one of those matches. It's hard to see Cockburn coming from such a prolonged disappointing streak against the top eight teams to knock out one of the competition's hottest teams, Perry Lakes.

Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Helen Theoharakis (Hoop Shots)

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