Capitals and Melbourne fight for crucial finals positioning

For the second time this season we are treated to a clash of two of the most talented teams in the competition in the UC Capitals and the Melbourne Boomers, this time, likely with both squads at full strength.

Back in round 1 it was the Caps who pulled out the win behind the coming out party of rookie guard Jade Melbourne. Boomers coach Guy Molloy will ensure that Melbourne has a more difficult game with him saying that they ‘Didn’t give her enough respect’ in the first matchup. It’s unlikely they will make the same mistake. This game will see Tess Madgen against the Caps for the first time though with the Opals squad member sitting out the first matchup due to an ankle injury.

The Boomers too however will be seeing players at full strength for the first time this season as Kelsey Griffin, Tahlia Tupaea and Britt Smart all having only recently returned from injuries before the first match. All three have been improving with every match as they find their fitness and form toward the latter half of the season.

The matchups will be great all over the floor with Madgen and Rocci matching up in a battle that Opals coach Sandy Brondello will certainly have her eye one. Garrick will be looking to get one back on Melbourne, with Melbourne dominating the matchup in Mackay, whilst Tolo and George will again do battle after George was hampered by foul trouble. The result may come down to the performance of WNBA player Ezi Magbegor who was quiet despite showing flashes early on posting up the smaller Froling.

The game will likely have placing implications for the end of the season as both teams battle for that all-important top 2 spot.

Pos Team   Played Points Won Lost
1 UC Capitals 8 0 7 1
2 Southside Flyers 9 0 7 2
3 Adelaide Lightning 6 0 4 2
4 Townsville Fire 9 0 6 3
5 Melbourne Boomers 6 0 4 2
6 Sydney Uni Flames 8 0 2 6
7 Perth Lynx 8 0 1 7
8 Bendigo Spirit 8 0 0 8
Audi Centre Canberra
ACT Gov
<br>
12

Marianna
Tolo

Height 196CM
Date of Birth 02/07/1989
Position centre
<br>
08

Abby
Cubillo

Height 168CM
Date of Birth 08/05/1999
Position guard
<br>
14

Alex
Delaney

Height 183CM
Date of Birth 21/06/1995
Position forward
<br>
1

Ash
Taia

Height 183CM
Position forward
<br>
21

Keely
Froling

Height 188CM
Date of Birth 31/01/1996
Position forward
<br>
07

Hannah
Kaser

Height 178CM
Position guard
<br>
09

Maddison
Rocci

Height 169CM
Date of Birth 01-06-1998
Position guard
<br>
05

Jade
Melbourne

Height 175CM
Position point guard
<br>
03

Mikaela
Raef

Height 191CM
Date of Birth 20/10/1990
Position centre
<br>
02

Brittany
Smart

Height 174CM
Position guard
<br>
23

Kelsey
Griffin

Height 188CM
Date of Birth 02/07/1987
Position forward
<br>
04

Tahlia
Tupaea

Height 175CM
Date of Birth 01/06/1997
Position point guard
4

Rachel
Antoniadou

Height 173CM
Position guard
6

Rachel
Brewster

Height 180CM
Position guard
7

Toni
Farnsworth

Height 181CM
Position guard
9

Tess
Madgen

Height 183CM
Position guard
10

Izzy
Wright

Height 180CM
Position guard
12

Penina
Davidson

Height 190CM
Position centre
13

Ezi
Magbegor

Height 193CM
Position power forward
21

Stella
Beck

Height 183CM
Position guard
22

Cayla
George

Height 193CM
Position centre
23

Maddie
Garrick

Height 179CM
Position shooting guard
32

Kalani
Purcell

Height 187CM
Position power forward
47

Ashleigh
Karatiiana

Height 183CM
Position forward