ROUND 2 PREVIEW

Preview Round 2 of season 2017 with six teams hitting the court over this weekend.

Wollongong Rollerhawks v Sydney Metro Blues- Friday 26th May @8pm
Wollongong Rollerhawks v Sydney Metro Blues- Saturday 27th May @8pm
Sydney Metro Blues v Wollongong Rollerhawks- Sunday 28th May @11am

Putting their unbeaten start to 2017 on the line, the Roller Hawks tip-off Round 2 on Friday night against the Blues who sit just below them in second place on the ladder.

Without much success over the past few years, Sydney Metro have already equalled their win tally from the past two years and are now looking to prove they are a finals contender. A victory over Wollongong is the perfect opportunity but they will have to shut down Brett Stibners while also putting work into the likes of Luke Pople and Nick Taylor.

However, if CJ McCarthy-Grogan can carry over his form from his past two games when he scored 30+ in both contests, the Blues will give themselves a chance. The series switches to Minto on Sunday with Sydney Metro playing the third game of the weekend at their home crowd which should also give them a boost but the Rollerhawks need two wins this weekend to ensure they hold top spot.


Red Dust Heelers v Adelaide Thunder- Saturday 27th May @5pm
Red Dust Heelers v Adelaide Thunder- Sunday 28th May @ 9am

These teams combined for just one win last fortnight but Red Dust’s victory came against the Thunder as they defeated them by 34 points on opening night.

The experience and size of Brad Ness proved the difference with the Rollers captain recording 30 points and 11 rebounds in just 17 minutes off the bench. Adelaide will have a plan of attack in containing him but Adam Deans quietly had a productive game in that clash as well, scoring 16 points on 7-11 shooting while Rob Pike adds a punch off the bench as well.

The Thunder may not have as many weapons but they will have learnt from Round 1 and you can expect to see them crash the offensive glass and restrict second chance opportunities this weekend. If Adam Roocke (23 points in their last meeting) can light up the scoreboard again, the Thunder will back themselves to break their losing streak.


Qld Spinning Bullets v Be Active Perth Wheelcats- Saturday 27th May @8pm
Qld Spinning Bullets v Be Active Perth Wheelcats- Sunday 28th May @9am

Seeding in the top four is on the line in these match-ups with both clubs sitting at 2-1 coming into the weekend and fans will be expecting a close contest after the Wheelcats won by eight points in Round 1.

The Spinners were within four points with just over three minutes remaining in that clash but with three players finishing in double-figure scoring, Perth were able to clinch the win. Shaun Norris had a triple-double but also tallied 11 turnovers which is an area of his game he will be focusing on this round while Kim Robins and Amber Merritt helped out in the paint.

Merritt is recovering from a concussion suffered in the WNWBL last weekend and they will feel her absence if she is not cleared to play with Perth needing as much firepower as they can muster to out-score Tom O’Neill-Thorne whose 29 points almost got the job done for Queensland a fortnight ago. He will be looking for more support from the likes of Jake Fulwood and Matt McShane to reverse the Round 1 decision.




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