West Adelaide Bearcats (3-13, 8th) v Norwood Flames (14-2, 1st)
Saturday July 28, 8.15pm at Port Adelaide

The West Adelaide Bearcats will be playing for win number four when they welcome the Norwood Flames to Port Adelaide.

The Bearcats fell just short of a major upset in Round 16, going down 67-69 to Southern. Narelle Van Leuven had a team-high 17 points, while Sky Langenbrinck and Meg McLeod each added 12.

The Flames can cement a second successive Minor Premiership once-and-for-all if they win this game. They overcame Woodville 87-33 last week to improve to 14-2. Amy Lewis scored 26 and Kelsey Ireland snared another 18.

In Round 8, the Flames defeated the Bearcats 69-38. Lewis led the Flames with 17, while Ashlea Vordermaier had the same number for the Bearcats.

The Bearcats have shown some improvement in recent times, but not enough to suggest they can beat the all-conquering Flames.

South Adelaide Panthers (2-14, 10th) v Sturt Sabres (4-12, 7th)
Saturday July 28, 6.30pm at Marion

The South Adelaide Panthers will finish with the Wooden Spoon if they fail to defeat the Sturt Sabres in Round 17.

The Panthers are currently on a four-game losing streak and have only won twice in 16 attempts. They fell 17 points short against Centrals last week, despite the best efforts of Ieva Nagy (14 points) and Jess Hansberry (10 points).

The Sabres have only won the four games, but have given a few opponents a scare in the latter half of the season. In Round 16, they lost by a point to the higher-ranked Mavericks, with Sylvia Garula’s last-second shot unsuccessful. Garula finished with 12 points, while Jess McPhail had a team-high 20.

Last time they met, the Panthers had their maiden victory, defeating the Sabres 57-56 at Pasadena. Jess Hansberry was a standout with 20 points, while McPhail had 18 for the Sabres.

The Sabres have been a much stronger team since they last played the Panthers, and hence should cruise to a comfortable victory.

Woodville Warriors (3-13, 9th) v Eastern Mavericks (9-7, 6th)
Saturday July 28, 6.30pm at St Clair

The Eastern Mavericks have another must-win game on their hands when they visit the Woodville Warriors.

The Mavericks are still a game behind Southern for the fifth and final finals spot, but have a much-easier remaining draw than their rivals. The Mavericks got out of jail against Sturt last week, their fourth successive triumph. They won 73-72, but a turnover-prone final minute almost caused them to throw away a six-point lead. Tess Madgen (27 points, 16 rebounds, 9 assists, 6 steals, 6 turnovers) filled up the stats sheet as she always does, while Alex Wilson was important with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.

After starting the season 2-0, the Warriors have lost 13 of 14. No Warrior scored more than Alissa Hampton (9 points) in their loss to Norwood last week. The Warriors can finish as high as seventh or as low as 10th.

In Round 8, the Mavericks defeated the Warriors 84-70. Madgen had 41 points and 16 rebounds that night, while Hampton scored 15 for the Warriors.

Considering the Mavericks recently beat Norwood, they should be able to wrap this one up early.

Central District Lions (11-5, 3rd) v North Adelaide Rockets (13-3, 2nd)
Saturday July 28, 6.30pm at Starplex

The Central District Lions will be looking to continue their push for a top-three spot when they take on the North Adelaide Rockets.

The Lions are sitting on the same number of wins as Forestville, although the Eagles have the head-to-head advantage. They can still finish as low as fifth if the Southern Tigers are successful in each of their next two games. In Round 16, the Lions defeated South Adelaide 67-50, thanks to 13 points apiece from Jess Mahony and Desinta Cummins.

The Rockets are near-certainties for second, after a surprisingly easy 75-49 win over Forestville last weekend. Lauren Mansfield had a game-high 22 points, while Jamie-Lee Peris scored 14. Only a capitulation from Norwood would give the Rockets a chance at first.

The Lions did not enjoy their last encounter with the Rockets, when they were well-beaten 60-74. Jo Hill had 17 for the Rockets, while Mahony registered 15 for the Lions.

The Lions will be desperate for a W, but it is hard to see the Rockets losing with the way they are going right now.

Forestville Eagles (11-5, 4th) v Southern Tigers (10-6, 5th)
Saturday July 28, 6.30pm at Wayville

In the Match of the Round, the result of the Forestville Eagles-Southern Tigers clash will have a huge bearing on where the top six teams rank at the end of next week.

The Eagles are 11-5 and the Tigers 10-6. The Eagles are assured of a top-five finish, but could finish the season anywhere between third and fifth. The Tigers could still outdo the Eagles or Lions into third, but one more loss and they will almost certainly miss out on post-season action for a second year running.

The Tigers looked to be cruising to victory in Round 16, leading the Bearcats 37-18 at half-time. However, they came out a different team after the interval, and found themselves trailing inside the final two minutes. Fortunately for the Tigers, their own Jessica Nolan’s ninth made field goal of the season and her first of the night was enough to get them home.

The Eagles missed their chance to finish in the top two by putting in a low scoring performance against North Adelaide. Olivia Thompson and Carla Borrego combined for 37 of their team’s 49 points.

Last time they met, the Tigers held on for a 77-72 victory. Alexandra Ciabattoni (24 points, 11 rebounds) was one of five double-digit scorers for the Tigers, while Simone Nelson had 13 rebounds. Thompson registered 29 points and 13 boards for the Eagles.

Expect a tight game, with home court advantage a possible factor.

By James Woite