SEABL Rangers Mid Week Previews

The Dandenong Rangers SEABL teams are back in action this weekend, with a home/away double set for the last round of the regular season. 

SEABL.com.au previews this weekends match ups;

Dandenong Schweppes Rangers

v BALLARAT @ Dandenong Stadium

Saturday 11th August – 5:30pm

Ballarat’s playoff hopes were diminished last week with a disappointing 0-2 weekend. But Rush coach Donna Rinaldi will be keen to hang their hat on a win over the defending champion and a finals bound team.

v BENDIGO @ Bendigo Stadium 

Sunday 11th August – 12:00pm

Although Bendigo and Dandenong have consolidated a playoff spot, victory is still important for both teams this week.After being patchy at times this season, Dandenong have won eight of their past nine and are showing glimpses of Championship form. 

The Rangers also welcome back leading scorer Stephanie Cumming this week. Cumming has taken a much-needed break over the past five weeks, and this is a perfect opportunity to work her back into the rotation. Cumming’s influence and input from now until the end of the year will be critical to the Rangers chances of three-peating. 

Dandenong have averaged less than 63 points per game in their past three matches, well below their season average of 74.0. The return of Cumming should address this problem.

Bendigo started the season as one of the hot favourites, but the Lady Braves have been largely disappointing in 2012. They are loaded with athletes and boast plenty of WNBL experience, but week after week they rely on Renee Camino and Mia Newley to carry them to victory. 

That formula of relying on only two players will only go so far in SEABL competition, so the Lady Braves need to find a third player that can consistently provide them with 15-plus points per game. With only two games until playoffs, it may too late to ‘discover’ that third scorer this late in the season, and it’s unlikely anyone will be surprised if Bendigo are an early exit from the post-season.

Thanks to superior head-to-head results over Geelong, Dandenong cannot lose top position. Getting their best player to gel with the team will be the goal this weekend. 

Bendigo have third spot confirmed and will host Sandringham in the semi final. Their form against the defending champions this weekend will give an indication if they can go any further than that.

Prediction: Dandenong by 12

Dandenong Solo Rangers

East Conference Scenario

The possible outcomes for the East conference are relatively straightforward. If Frankston can win either one of their two games this weekend, they will finish fourth. But if they lose both, and Sandringham defeat Knox, then the Sabres can still finish in fourth. At the top of the conference, if Dandenong lose both of their games this weekend, and Geelong defeat Bendigo, the Supercats can finish on top due to their advantage in head-to-head clashes against the Rangers.

 

v BALLARAT @ Dandenong Stadium

Saturday 11th August – 7.30pm

Both need to win for different reasons. Dandenong to stay on top and Ballarat to stay in the finals hunt. The Rangers at home should bounce back after a heavy loss last week.

v BENDIGO @ Bendigo Stadium 

Sunday 12th August –2:00pm

The Rangers must win big games such as this to generate some winning form heading into finals, and show the competition they are serious contenders. But if the Braves can force an upset, Bendigo could emerge as the bogey team of the finals.

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