Round 12 on Saturday night should deliver close contests across all three courts, with the ladder-leading TAE Aerospace Ipswich Jets tackling the third-placed ACU Brisbane North Cougars in what will be an unmissable clash.
“We have Abigail (Latu-Meafou) out, so it will give players like Naomi (Solomona) that opportunity again to be out on the big court against hard opposition,” Jets coach Paula Stuart said.
“She did a great job when Abigail was injured.”
The last time these two sides met was in round five when the Jets managed a three-goal victory (66-63).
“It sounds cliche but we look at one game at a time, at the strengths and weaknesses and combat those,” Stuart said.
“All that we’re focused on is making the top two, so winning one game out of the three to determine we’re in the top two. We have to win one more game to secure our aim.”
The Cougars, meantime, know they just have to make the top four to give themselves a good shot at defending the premiership.
“While there’s hope, and we keep improving, anything can happen,” Cougars coach Liz White said.
“We just have to make those finals and it’s a whole new ball game.”
The other battle between top four sides on Saturday night features the improved Carina Leagues Club Tigers against the might of the second-placed Gold Coast Titans.
The Tigers lost by 25 goals (63-38) last time these two teams played each other, but Tigers coach Jo Morgan said her side is a changed group with a different approach.
‘It is a win that we have in our sights and (we are) under no illusion it is a tough challenge but one we are excited about,” Morgan said.
“We know we can control our destiny now and would rather that than rely on other results.”
The remaining 6pm game on Saturday is the Bond University Bull Sharks playing the Sunshine Coast Thunder, which last time ended in a seven-goal (57-50) victory to the Thunder.
“The girls owe it to themselves to finish the season,” Bull Sharks coach Bec Stower said.
“We’re out of the four but just want to try to finish the season in fifth which would be really good.”
For a comprehensive draw and the HART Sapphire Series ladder, please click HERE.
KommunityTV
Round 12, June 24
Carina Leagues Club Tigers v Gold Coast Titans
4pm Ruby, 6pm Sapphire
