Big V Big 5
By Justin Nelson
With just one round remaining before the finals we reflect on five big stories from round 17.
Big Berth
The race for the top four in SCW is over after Bulleen failed to beat Waverley or Melbourne in round 17, leaving the Boomers short of the Tigers and also behind on head-to-head. In what has been an exciting few weeks, the Boomers have lost three of their last four games.
Big Season
Mildura in D3M still have to get the job done this week, but they only need look as far as Warrnambool in D1W to see how it’s done. The Mermaids capped off an unbeaten home and away season on Saturday night with a win over second-placed Altona. Now the only test ahead of the ladies from the ‘Bool is if they can go all the way?
Big Headache
Big results in D1M, none more so than Altona’s win down at Warrnambool and now we have an amazing last round coming up. Geelong and Melbourne University are locked in for finals, but from there anything can happen. Get set for a possible head-to-head-to-head equation come Sunday night, but the key game looks to be Altona at home to Southern Peninsula on Sunday afternoon.
Big Game
A win to Blackburn against Darebin in D2W coupled with a loss for Western Port against Chelsea has paved the way for a crunch game like no other in round 18. The equation is simple when Western Port hosts Blackburn this Saturday night – Western Port must either win or lose by less than 10pts, while for Blackburn a win by 11pts or more will come with the reward of a finals berth.
Big Talent
Just when you thought Mildura’s D1W championship hopes hinged on Amanda Hederics and Vanessa Power, up bobs Mollie McKendrick with a super game. The young forward scored 40pts @ 63% and dragged down 19 rebounds in a huge outing against Southern Peninsula, sending a clear warning to other finalists that the Heat is a serious contender.
