Preliminary final: Bendigo @ Canberra

[hellcat]

Bendigo's job just got tougher with Suzy Batkovic cleared to take part in the Preliminary Final (http://www.wnbl.com.au/index.php?id=81&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=2996&tx_ttnews[backPid]=1&cHash=979482353d).

[Dozer]

Always expected her to play, even at 50% fitness as it is a do or die game and a partially fit Batgirl would be better value on the team than the last player on the bench (or Tracey Beatty) for that matter.

Expect her to be used in short spells and to ensure Gabe Richards does not have as much effect on the game as she has in the past few.

Cannot write Bendigo off as their form over the second half of the season is much better than the start when they played Canberra twice for 2 blowouts. The key to Bendigo will be their team defence which was sensational against Bulleen a few weeks ago and hitting the outside shot to spread the floor which has been hit and miss. If Bendigo play as they did against Bulleen, it will be close, but if they have a 1st half as they did against Logan, it will be all over by the break.

Would love to see Bendigo win (being a sponsor) but justice will probably prevail and Canberra meet Bulleen in the final. Hopefully it's a ripper.

[Haywood Jablome]

Refereeing still shithouse.

[Clips]

Bogan women caps fans behind me ragged that caps didn't get a call all game.

Judging by their reactions to calls, the foul count should have been 30 on Spirit to 2 on Caps.

[Dunkin' Dan]

Well, Canberra certainly didn't have things all their own way. Was a pretty impressive effort for Bendigo to get that close, led really well by Harrower and with nice contributions from Richards & Wilson. Very little from Madgen though, with Wilson doing an excellent job of shutting her down almost completely while pouring in 21 of her own.
Tolo & Bibby were big too, and Lacey chipped in with some timely shots, which the Spirit missed out on with Oliver stuck on the sidelines with her arm in a cast. Bugger of a piece of timing for that injury!

Sets up the one we've all been waiting for next Sunday, with most of the pressure being on Bulleen I reckon. They finished top, they're at home, and they have come up short the last 2 times. Really looking forward to it.

[Like it is]

Always expected her to play, even at 50% fitness as it is a do or die game and a partially fit Batgirl would be better value on the team than the last player on the bench (or Tracey Beatty) for that matter.

Suzy was never going to play today. She's well on the mend, but not to be risked before next weekend. I wouldn't be shocked if she doesn't play next week either. Graffy working the mind games.:)
Wilson shut Madgen down like a vice. Best defender in the league atm.
Agree with Dan...all the pressure on Bulleen. Their last roll of the championship dice before they lose Cambage to the world.
If Lacey plays like she did today and Canberra can leave Beatty on the pine, they can beat Bulleen without Suzy.

[shotclock reset]

. . .
Agree with Dan...all the pressure on Bulleen. Their last roll of the championship dice before they lose Cambage to the world.
If Lacey plays like she did today and Canberra can leave Beatty on the pine, they can beat Bulleen without Suzy.

Dan actually wrote that *most* of the pressure will be on Bulleen. There is certainly pressure on Canberra (they're going for a Championship 3-peat & they have to defeat Bulleen on the road - no pressure there, right?)

Tolo and Wilson I thought were very good in the Prelim Final and although Bendigo made things difficult at times the win was always in the home teams grasp. Lacy I felt put in her best performance, but I'd be surprised if the outcome of the GF hinged on her or on the performances of any of the 3 Canberra point guards.

The TV coverage contained some interesting stuff including the Larry Sengstock interview and BA's bid for the Womens Worlds in 2014. The other revealing insight came from the miked coverage of a Spirit time out that featured the Bendigo coach basically telling one of his players to STFU. Something that many of us may feel was long overdue.

Plaudits to the Spirit however for a tremendous season.

[CapsSupporter]

I believe that player was actually Kristi, and telling her to stay controlled and poised, not rag on her own team mates. Being at the game and then just finishing watching the replay, it was interesting to see one of the assistants setting up for the "hail Mary" play to try and get Bendigo back and level.

Being a Caps fan, I have to say I have the utmost respect for the Spirit team and in particular Kristi, she almost single handedly got the Spirit over the line. It was a fantastic game of basketball to watch.

I think Lacey will have an impact on the game next week, out of all the Caps guards, she seems to have the best vision and most poise under pressure. If she can keep knocking down the three, it will take a lot of pressure off Bibby and Wilson. I don't think there will be a doubt that Suzy will play next week. She looked great in the warm up and was knocking down threes and moving freely.

I'm glad I will be at the game and won't have to listen to Stephanie on the ABC, she is terribly wooden and almost looked pained at times talking.

Look for Wilson to do a job on Penaluna next week, shutting her down and putting more pressure on Cambage.

All in all, next week is shaping up to be a terrific contest and both teams quite reasonably would be feeling confident going into the game. Will be interesting to see if Bulleens comments re tunnelling will have an influence on the referees.

[Like it is]

I think Lacey will have an impact on the game next week, out of all the Caps guards, she seems to have the best vision and most poise under pressure.

:shock: Vision and poise under pressure..that's a huge call. She just needs to play some solid D and not throw the ball away. She was terrible against Bulleen. She was solid against Bendigo. As long as she is solid again this Sunday (and Beatty get's less than 5 minutes court time), Canberra will be fine!