After the exciting opening weekend of the Big V 2023 season, we look ahead to an action-packed Round 2. Check out our Games of the Week previews below:
CM
Sunbury v Hume
A healthy rivalry from 2022 is revisited early on in 2023 as the Sunbury Jets host the Hume Broncos on Sunday. Last year these two met in the semi-finals where it was pushed to 3 very close games, and whilst Sunbury return with a very similar roster, Hume have added some key pieces to go head-to-head with the Jets this time around. New addition Troyce Manassa was enormous for the Broncos last week, whilst Big V veteran Chris Kaba also contributed a handy 14.5 points last week. The deadly trio of Sanders, Clayton and Barkeley will certainly come into this one with the plan of grabbing a win with their first home game of the season. Get down to Boardman Stadium on Sunday to see this one!
CW
Camberwell vs Hume
A first-time clash for these senior programs as the recently promoted Camberwell Dragons host the Championship Women stalwarts the Hume Broncos. Last week the Dragons surprised Pakenham, led by Eleni Valos, Samantha Labros and Saule Kontautaite all coming off the bench to give the Dragons the scoring punch they needed. Whilst some foul trouble to Hume starters really slowed down Hume as they faced reigning champions Wyndham. Expect Kayonna Lee to try and put her name all over this one if she can stay out of foul trouble, whilst dynamic duo Gemma Fyffe and Marnie Houghton won’t have two consecutive poor shooting nights, they’ll come out hot. This is sure to be an exciting game so get down to Balwyn High School on Saturday afternoon to catch this one.
D1M
Chelsea vs Southern Peninsula
A revived local rivalry hits the court this Saturday night as the Gulls host the Sharks at Patterson River Stadium. Whilst both teams are coming off a loss in Round 1, they both showed some very exciting glimpses of what they can produce this season. A key for Southern Peninsula will be how they are going to slow down Chelsea big man Aaron Frost who started the season with a 20 and 20 game last week, we imagine that Fraser Spencer will have the task of keeping him off the glass. For Southern Peninsula it’ll be the scoring duo of Bond and Jones who will carry the majority of the offensive load this season, it is imperative for Jones to avoid foul trouble this week so he can help get his Sharks their first win for the season!
D1W
Western Port vs Chelsea
After an electric Round 1 from these teams, we expect much of the same in Round 2. Western Port cruised to a comfortable win against a new-look Warrandyte team whilst Chelsea put up an impressive win against a strong Mildura outfit. Big V stalwarts Rachael Wansbrough and Rachel Winters will be looking to use their experience to control the pace of this one for the Steelers as they aim to chalk up their first win on their home floor. Meanwhile, for Chelsea, they’ll look to Stainer, George and Taylor to carry the scoring load again this week. Expect the rebounding battle to dictate this game to an extent, if the Gulls allow Western Port to control the offensive rebounds and win the extra possessions, it will be very difficult for them to win. This will go down to the wire!
D2M
Whittlesea vs Sherbrooke
Lock this one in as a shootout! Whittlesea are coming into this one after scoring 103 points while shooting 50% from the arc, whilst Sherbrooke is coming off scoring 93 points in a loss. The Suns will want to address some late defensive issues to ensure they don’t let the Pacers get hot from deep, whilst continuing their strong offence with 5 starters shooting double-figure points. Expect Nick Tarrant to have another strong performance trying to lead his Suns to a win, coming off the back of a 16-point and 10-rebound game. Whilst for the Pacers, it was Pat Green who had 22 points in his 24 minutes whilst shooting 5/8 from the three-point line, he will be hoping for just as much space this week to help guide his team to a win at home on Sunday.
D2W
Wallan vs Coburg
No plans this Saturday night? Don’t miss this game at RB Robson Stadium! These two experienced teams will face off and we expect it to be a good one. Coburg are coming off a loss due to some shooting woes last week, but we do not expect Siobhan Mac Aodha or Emily Verey to have shooting nights like those again. Meanwhile, Wallan cruised to a comfortable win over RMIT with import Kylah Collins absolutely dominating in her 28 minutes, contributing 27 points to go with her 12 rebounds, what will Coburg do to slow her down? We expect it to be a match-up for captain Verey so she can will her team to a win this week.
VYCM
Diamond Valley vs Ballarat
Two 2022 finals competitive and beastly teams come up early against one another this season with the Eagles hosting the Minors. Both groups retaining the majority of their players' names for yet another competitive matchup. With neither team getting a W in round 1, you’d expect this to be a fiery game with a lot of physicalities. Vic athlete Daniel Poelsma will look to back up his is 20-point performance again whilst trying to lock up Austin McKenzie who went off for 24 points in round 1. Who is walking away with the W here, time will tell.
VYCW
Diamond Valley vs Ballarat
Again, the Eagles and Minors will come across one another 2 times this season both in the Watson pool. The first is with great importance as the Minors will look to get their first W for 2023 with the Eagles hoping to complete the weekend 2 and 0 with a game following on Sunday. The Eagles walked away with a great win in round 1 with 5 players in double figures, Aleshia Cadee leading the way with 17 points. Ballarat had 4 of their own in double figures in a close loss to Dandenong with Milly Sharp putting up a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds. Look for the match-up of Jemma Amoore taking on new inclusion Lucy Oakford.
YL1M
Sherbrooke vs Altona
A fierce game is on the way with Sherbrooke hosting Altona in what always is a competitive matchup. Both making the postseason in 2022 falling short in the semis, these two have their eyes on that grand final season. Sherbrooke had a very successful round 1 walking away 2 and 0 with Altona falling short to the new inclusion Bulleen. Jacob Bourke-Doggett had an impressive round 1 performance averaging 25 points for the weekend, an early MVP candidate with Altona’s Kurt Butler finishing with a 20-point double-double in their loss. Expect Altona to bounce back this week and look to snatch their first win for the 2023 season.
YL1W
Bulleen vs McKinnon
A top-of-the-table matchup early in the year, both groups taking the W in round 1, Bulleen and McKinnon looking to remain at the top of the mountain. With some dominant performances in round 1 with a combined 71-point margin, this will be a game to keep an eye on! These two groups had impressive 2022 seasons, now looking to place themselves in the grading process with VYCW promotion in their minds. Tahlia Leeson packing the stat sheet in round 1 will be a match-up for McKinnon who will look to her to slow down whilst continuing to play their cohesive team's first offence.
YL2M
Melbourne University vs Albury Wodonga
Round 2 we again introduce another new team to the Big V competition, Melbourne University who host the long travelling Albury Wodonga in a showcase matchup both taking out a W in round 1. It was Melbourne University who took the league by storm scoring 104 points in their first game in the league, Nick Kiefer with a massive 26-point 17 rebound performance. Albury’s Marcus La Spina and Sam Webb will be eager to put wins on the board early as they look to make another finals run, falling short in week 1. This will be the only time these two come up against one another so it will be an all-cards on the table hit out, who you got?
YL2W
Sherbrooke vs Mornington
In one of Big V’s smaller divisions for 2023 with only 9 teams, Sherbrooke hosts Mornington in a crucial game as they look to get their first win for 2023 after moving into Youth League two. Mornington had a convincing 10-point win over the Pacers in round 1 after a 17 to 6 point 4th quarter looking to back it up again and place themselves at the top of the table early in the year. It was Kijana Katramados who leads the league in points after round 1 with 24 shooting 50% from the land of plenty. Look for Olivia Kingston to lift her squad this weekend and bring back the fire of the Suns in their redemption year.
