Posted on 22 July, 2010

The Swinburne Cobras enter this important weekend on a four game win streak and last week secured a top two finish.  Coach Grant Wallace and the team know their work is not yet done with top spot still up for grabs they must win all three games to have a chance of snatching the minor premiership.

Kilsyth will take on the inconsistent Dandenong (11-13) on Saturday night at 8.15pm.  The Rangers have been up and down this season but are still a mathematical chance of sneaking into fourth place.  A loss to Kilsyth would put an end to their finals aspirations.  The Rangers were able to defeat Kilsyth 81-63 back in Round 14.

The Swinburne Cobras unexpected loss to the Rangers put a spark into their season and they have won four of five since the loss. Kilsyth will again look for a balanced offensive effort, their even spread of scorers has made them a difficult match up in recent weeks.

Dandenong have plenty of talent that the Cobras must contain, imports Luke Fitzgerald and Vince Inglima have the potential to explode while the athletic Lucas Walker and Brent Hobba must also be contained.

On Sunday, Kilsyth will travel to Sandringham for a rematch with the Sabres.  Sandringham travelled to Kilsyth on 1 May 2010 and sent the Swinburne Cobras crashing in DJ Taylor’s 400th SEABL Game.  The Sabres have recently given up top spot in the South Conference to Nunawading and are in danger of falling further with both Hobart and Geelong on long winning streaks.

Matt O’Hea will play his 200th SEABL game against the Sabres, having played 175 games for Nunawading prior to this season.

The Swinburne Lady Cobras also take on Dandenong on Saturday night at 6.15pm with former Lady Cobra Clare Papavs returning to Kilsyth for the first time.

The Rangers (15-4) currently lead the competition but have lost their last two games and starter Steph Cumming to injury.  The Rangers have brought in a highly qualified replacement in Kathleen MacLeod but the questions remain as to whether they can return to the Season best form in time for finals.

With three games remaining the Swinburne Lady Cobras can finish anywhere from 1st to 7th, one more win will secure a place in the finals but Coach Cheryl Chambers and the team have their sights set higher.

Erica McMenamin will become the Club’s all-time games record holder on Saturday night and her teammates will be looking to put on a better show than their last effort against the Rangers.

Dandenong convincingly defeated Kilsyth 83-66 in round 14.  Hannah Zavecz will likely return to the Kilsyth line up for this game following her 3-week stint on tour with the Opals in China, USA and Hungary.

Kilsyth will back up their game Saturday night on the road against Nunawading on Sunday in a must win match.  Kilsyth dropped an earlier game to the Spectres with both Deanna Smith and Zavecz missing and must get this one back to ensure they remain in the top half of the finals picture.

Both teams will be on the road in round 20 taking on Ballarat (women) and Geelong (men).  Finals times and dates will be announced on www.cobras.net.au as soon as they are available.