Games Of The Week Previews - Round 17

Round 17 is looking like a fun one this weekend! Check out our Games of the Week previews below:

 

Championship Men

Hume v Keysborough

This is a that could shape the finals structure as the Hume Broncos host the Keysborough Cougars in what is expected to be one of the best games of the season. These teams have faced off twice already this season, with Hume getting the win in Round 1 whilst Keysborough were able to secure the win in Round 8. The game this weekend will determine who wins the head-to-head advantage and could potentially see them swap positions on the ladder. In their first match-up, it was Anthony Williams who willed his team to victory with 26 points and 8 rebounds as he won the battle of elite point guards against Christopher Elder. For Hume, Corey Fiddes had an impressive role off the bench with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Troyce Manassa continued to put up video game-type numbers with 26 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. The challenge for Keysborough could be finding the best match-up to slow Manassa down, with Enge and Newby being occupied with the size of the Hume frontcourt. Get to Broadmeadows Basketball Stadium this Saturday night to watch this battle!

Championship Women

Bulleen v McKinnon

This week we see the high-flying Bulleen Boomers host McKinnon Cougars in a battle of two teams that are preparing for finals. For McKinnon, every game in the run home is important as they try to hold off Hume and Sunbury who are chasing them to get that 4^th place and finals birth. McKinnon are coming off the back of a strong win against Camberwell where they had several contributors supporting star Briana Gray, but they will be hoping to see Emily Suckling back out on the floor soon. For Bulleen, these final weeks of the season are all about fine-tuning things to best prepare for the 2023 Big V Finals series. Catelyn Van Es is coming off an impressive weekend whilst Oliva Bontempelli will want to get herself rolling before finals. We expect this game to be a tightly contested affair, don’t miss it!

Division One Men

Warrnambool v Bulleen

Warrnambool faces an important game to try and improve their position on the ladder and try and earn themselves a home final as they play host to Bulleen. Despite having the better record for the season, the drop of Warrnambool’s form across the back half of the year would indicate that these teams are very even. The last time these teams played was in Round 13 where Bulleen came away with a comfortable 15-point win on the back of a dominant last quarter. Evan Solakidis has had an impressive second half of the season and was influential the last time these teams played, finishing with a very efficient 24 points. For Warrnambool, it was star player Jamal Polydore that was held quiet by his standards, being kept to 18 points at 33%, he will be hoping to will his team over the line this time around.

Division One Women

Western Port v Mildura

This game will shape what finals will look like for these two teams but also potentially for some others. There has been a healthy rivalry between the Steelers and Heat women for the last few seasons as two teams who are constantly in the finals mix at Division One level. They faced off in Round 3 in Mildura and it was Western Port who came out on top defeating Mildura by 11 points. Rachael Wansbrough was impressive last time these teams played, she finished with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals as she steered her team to a low-scoring victory. The battle between Rachel Winters and Tyra Johnson is certainly going to be exciting this weekend as defensive specialist Winters tries to reduce Johnson’s impact in this one. Head to Somerville Recreation Centre to catch a glimpse of finals basketball early.

Division Two Men

Altona v Wallan

A finals preview this weekend as Altona play host to Wallan; Altona are coming off a loss to Mildura without star import Adam Anderson so they will be hoping he is fit to return to the lineup this week. The last time these teams met it was Altona who came away with the 4-point win, with Adam Anderson having 26 points whilst he was well supported by several of his big men contributing strongly. It was Keenan Gorski and Dominic Bruno who scored well for the Panthers in their last match-up so Nick Patel will no doubt have the job of slowing one of them down this time around. For Wallan, Tom O’Connor has started to find some form at the right end of the year as he has been controlling the boards, he and Arcaim Lallemand will have their work cut out for them this weekend as they face the likes of Tyson Burton and Samson Rocker. This is certainly a game that shouldn’t be missed in the lead-up to an exciting Big V Finals Series.

Division Two Women

Wallan v Surf Coast

This game is the second part of an incredibly important weekend for the Wallan Panthers Women’s team as they host Surf Coast which will almost certainly shape up the finals placings. Surf Coast have been inconsistent in the back end of the year after starting the season so strongly. With Cortney Hollowood and Kim Hammond missing games along the way, this has really put the Chargers women up against it when facing the top sides in the competition. At full strength though, the Chargers have proven they can challenge anybody and with movement on the ladder at stake they will be ready to take it to Kylah Collins and Wallan. Kylah Collins has been brilliant all season and will very likely be a feature come awards time, but she will ultimately be chasing the team's success and a win against Surf Coast is imperative this weekend.

Victorian Youth Championship Men

Ballarat vs Casey

After a long 17-round season, it has come down to the last week to dictate who makes finals, who misses out and who will compete in the 2024 grading process. A massive game on Saturday night as Ballarat host Casey in a must-win clash. Casey, currently 1 game ahead of the Miners took out the W in their last battle back in Round 9 by 13 points. To snatch head-to-head back, Ballarat needs to win by 14 or more points to tie wins with 10 for the season. Casey have another chance on Sunday to get 1 more win for the season to hold off the grading process yet this will be no easy beat. Before Casey get too far ahead of themselves, it’s all about Saturday night and getting a win first. Can Ballarat put some serious heat on Casey on Saturday night or will the Cavaliers end Ballarat’s season and put them in the grading process there and then?           

Victorian Youth Championship Women

Sandringham vs Bendigo

With the Watson conference top 4 locked in place, we look to the Terril conference as 6 of the 8 teams are a possibility for finals. Sandringham, currently sitting 6^th with 10 wins, host Bendigo on Sunday after a clash against Knox on Saturday night. Currently 2 games behind 4^th position, there is a chance the Sabres will make finals and push others out. Bendigo on the other hand are locked in for finals having to play away in the first week, unable to reach second position behind Melbourne and Keilor. Looking back to Round 12, it was Bendigo who took the win with Caitlin Richardson and Lavinia Cox going for 13 each. Will Bendigo play it strategically and play conservatively by resting bodies or will they go all out and pick up some momentum leading into week 1 of finals?

Youth League One Men

Geelong United vs Sherbrooke

An incredibly close Youth One Men ladder with Sherbrooke currently on 14 wins with a doubleheader this weekend with possibilities of staying in finals and being kicked out. Geelong, in the same boat able to hold their finals chances or fall out of the 6. They’re to host Sherbrooke on Sunday after the Suns host Wyndham on Saturday night in a must-win weekend. It was Sherbrooke who took out their first clash by 22 with Jacob Bourke-Doggett going for 24 points paired with 8 rebounds. Dylan Johnstone toyed with a triple-double with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists, a dynamic duo in Youth One Men. Looking to the weekend, Sherbrooke have a big task ahead of themselves with a tough final round, no more than Geelong who will be keeping a sharp eye on the Saturday night clash over at Bell Real Estate Stadium.  

Youth League One Women

McKinnon vs Camberwell

It is a locked top 6 in Youth One Women with ladder positioning very much in the air as the last round looms. McKinnon have it toughest out of them all heading into the last round of the season hosting Saturday night against Camberwell to then back it up at Eltham on Sunday. Camberwell will too be on the road on Sunday facing Coburg with hopes to finish 2 and 0 for the weekend. With Eltham and Bulleen locked in 1^st and 2^nd, it is all about hosting rights in week 1 of finals with both McKinnon and Camberwell able to do so. It was back in Round 12 where McKinnon took out the win over the Dragons with Eloise Leonard going for 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals. Both Camberwell and McKinnon have the head-to-head over Wyndham meaning either could slide into 3^rd position to then host Pakenham next week. What will be going through these coaches’ heads as they look ahead, or will they be too focused on winning in Round 17?

Youth League Two Men

Whittlesea vs Maccabi

Youth Two Men is as close as ever with some big games in Round 17 dictating who will make finals and who will miss out. For the first time this season, Whittlesea will come up against Jarred Fibishenko and his Maccabi unit. Maccabi currently sitting in 4^th need to win to remain in finals whilst Whittlesea, even though are 1^st must keep winning to hold onto their top seed with Albury Wodonga right on their tail. Cases could be made for Whittlesea being the most in form team with their 8-game winning streak. Yet Maccabi could have the most dominant player in the league with Jarred Fibishenko coming off an incredible 40-point performance last weekend. Whittlesea will be coming off a Saturday night clash away at Wallan with Maccabi keeping a close eye resting at home. Anything can happen as we’ve seen all year long!