Eastern Mavericks (0-11, 10th) v Sturt Sabres (9-2, 2nd)

The Eastern Mavericks will be hoping for a more respectable scoreline when they face Sturt on Saturday.

The Mavs were comprehensively thumped 24-100 by West in Round 10, then walloped 60-94 by Southern.

Madison Bycroft’s mixed bag was the highlight against the Bearcats. Bycroft had 8 rebounds, 6 points, 5 steals and 3 blocks, but also had 12 turnovers and shot just 1/8 from the field.

In the loss to the Tigers, Candice Hartman had a game-high 21 points on 9/17 shooting.

For the Sabres, last weekend began on a sour note, going down at home to Norwood 45-56, despite leading at three-quarter time.

In the absence of Tess Madgen, only Monique Bowley (16 points, 10 boards) managed to hit double-figures.

On Sunday, Sturt bounced back with a 62-47 win at North, thanks to 16 points and 15 rebounds from Bowley and 17 points from Nicole Seekamp.

The last time the Sabres faced Eastern, it was another nightmare for the young Mavericks, losing 25-97.

Expect a similar scoreline this time around.

Norwood Flames (10-0, 1st) v Southern Tigers (6-5, 5th)

Norwood tackles the Tigers at Mars this week in the women’s Match of the Round.

The Flames defeated Sturt at Pasadena last week to make it 10 from 10, while Southern was swamped by Forestville, before reversing its result against Eastern with a near-identical scoreline.

Jess Foley was sensational for Norwood against the Sabres with 13 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals.

For the Tigers, Madeline Cunningham and Ashleigh Spencer were again the go-to players, combining for 57 points over the two games.

Teresa Kinross had a much better game Sunday with 15 points, after going 0/6 the night before, while Rosalie Cutri returned to the line-up with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists against the Mavericks.

The last time Norwood and Southern met, the Flames annihilated the Tigers on their home floor 89-51.

Although I do not think the gap will be great this time, I still believe Norwood will get up comfortably and make it 11 from 11.

Central District Lions (5-5, 6th) v West Adelaide Bearcats (8-3, 3rd)

The Lions will be hoping to get back to their form of the first nine rounds when they take on West at Starplex on Saturday.

Last week, Centrals was smashed 39-62 by South, who had won just twice prior to that night.

Jessica Mahony registered a team-high 14 points, to go with 7 rebounds and 3 steals.

However, Mahony’s 2 assists was eight below her season average, and she shot just 4/18.

The Bearcats got their double-header going in the right direction with a 76 point win over the Mavs, led by Kerrin Webber (18 points) and Ashlea Vordermaier (17 points, 12 rebounds).

However, they fell apart in a 5-18 third quarter against Forestville, eventually going down 59-69, despite 21 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists from Webber.

In the previous encounter between these sides, the Bearcats were 61-49 home winners.

I reckon West will complete the season double with a win by a similar margin.

Forestville Eagles (6-5, 4th) v Woodville Warriors (1-10, 11th)

The Woodville Warriors will have their hands full on Saturday when they visit a rejuvenated Forestville. 

With former Thunderbirds netballer Carla Borrego finally in action last weekend, the Eagles firstly made easy work of Southern, and then produced a 41 point turnaround from their last game with West to secure an important victory.

Borrego was in sensational touch with 19 points and 10 rebounds versus the Tigers and 17 points and 7 boards in the Bearcats game.

Jess Fergus was also excellent, scoring a game-high 26 points against Southern, including 18 in the third period, before turning in 13 points and 5 assists the next day.

Monica Bello’s return to the line-up was also key, producing 10 assists and 6 rebounds in 30 minutes against the Tigers and 12 points, 7 rebounds, 7 steals and 4 assists in 40 minutes versus West.

The Eagles are 3-0 when Bello plays.

Meanwhile, the Warriors lost to both North and South by double-digits.

Ursula Richards had 31 points on 31 shots against the Rockets, and then 19 points on 27 shots against the Panthers.

Woodville has been competitive in patches, but struggles to put four quarters together.

The last time the Warriors faced the Eagles, they were belted 4-19 in the first quarter and lost the match 59-95.

Do not be surprised if this game produces a similar storyline.

North Adelaide Rockets (5-6, 7th) v South Adelaide Panthers (4-7, 8th)

The South Adelaide Panthers have not looked like making finals all year, but a win on Saturday at North Adelaide could put this resilient ballclub in a position to make a serious run.

The Panthers were sitting in an ugly position of 2-7 after nine games, but two convincing wins have turned their fortunes around.

In Round 10, South thumped Centrals 92-39, thanks to double-doubles from Elizabeth Keane, Katrina Evitts, and Simone Nelson.

The Panthers shot 47% to 18.6% and won the rebound count 72-35.

Then in Round 11, South had Woodville on toast by half-time and won 70-52.

Elizabeth Keane had 15 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocks while Sarah Peddle scored 19 points.

The Panthers have a percentage of 102.78, which is fifth best in the league.

North started its weekend well with a 78-63 victory over the Warriors.

Jess Smart top-scored with 23 points, while Jo Hill had 17 rebounds, 14 points, 5 assists and 5 steals.

However, the Rockets then fell to Sturt 47-62, despite a 20-20 from Hill.

In the teams’ last encounter, North got home 66-55 at Marion.

The Panthers appear to be a much-different team now, and I think they will make it four straight wins with a win victory here.

By James Woite