Three Games of the Week in Round 18! Check out our Games of the Week previews below:
Championship Men
Wyndham v Melbourne University
An important game for both teams this weekend for very different reasons; Wyndham will be looking to be one step closer to locking up 1st position on the ladder, whilst Melbourne University are fighting for survival to make the top 5 and finals in their first season in Championship Men. Melbourne University’s inaugural season in this division has certainly been a rollercoaster and we aren’t quite sure that they’re playing their best basketball at the right time of year. Last week they had a 7-point win over Bellarine but would’ve certainly been hoping for an easier victory as Bellarine took it right to them, Joel Rimes and Isaac Turner were the standouts in that one as you’d expect, they’ll need to be on again this week as they face Wyndham. For Wyndham, they are doing quite the opposite, peaking at the right time of year and seeming to be firing on all cylinders. Whilst Maurice Howard has been in tremendous form all year, Kavione Green and Manel Ayol are now starting to have more of an impact consistently. There is a lot riding on this game so expect it to go right down to the wire.
Championship Women
Sunbury v McKinnon
The battle for 4th place is on as the Sunbury Jets host the McKinnon Cougars at Boardman Stadium this week. Sunbury have been going from strength to strength in the back end of the year and are legitimately a threat of earning 4th place. During that run, the Hildebrand sisters have been the added scoring punch the Jets have needed to complement Ida Andersson and Dimitra Gkizani. The Cougars have been managing to collect a win or two along the way despite missing star guard Emily Suckling, Briana Gray has stepped up in her absence while taking on more of the load, but it has also seen increased roles from Cassie Hill and Lily Brancatisano and they haven’t disappointed. These teams last met in Round 12 where Sunbury were able to get up by 15 points and it was the Hildebrand sisters who combined for 35 points to steer the ship for the Jets, whilst Gray and Suckling were the only standouts for the Cougars. This is guaranteed to go down to the wire, get to Boardman Stadium so you don’t miss out!
Division Two Women
Wallan v Blackburn
The battle for second position is on this weekend as Wallan host Blackburn in a battle between two of the in-form teams of the competition. Blackburn have been an exciting team to watch at the back end of the season this year, having an array of different scoring options with Zennaro, Cunningham and Nolen leading the way. For Wallan, they have found an improved balance of offence in recent weeks and it is paying off with a huge win over the previously undefeated Gippsland United. Olivia Dalmau has been influential of late, scoring well but also facilitating for her teammates and complimenting MVP candidate Kylah Collins well. This match-up will decide the fate of home-court advantage in finals next weekend so you can be guaranteed that both teams will be playing hard. Get to RB Robson Stadium to make sure you don’t miss this blockbuster!
