The Bull Sharks host their second home game of the season when they take on the Wildcats at Carrara Indoor Sports Centre on Sunday.
Both sides need to win and rely on other results to go their way to reach the finals.
Sapphire
Last time they metÂÂÂÂ:
Bull Sharks lost 65-58
The opposition:
Last time we met, we had a depleted squad. Currently, the Wildcats are at the bottom of the ladder alongside the Tigers. They will be eager to finish the season on a high note, so we must be at our clinical best. It's our home game, and we're hoping for a big, noisy crowd to support us.
Shuffling the magnets:
At this stage, our full team is available.
Ones to watch:
Kaylin Van Greunen, Sasha-May Flegler and Jayden Molo are all attending the Australian U19 camp this week. It's a big week for them, and I'm looking forward to having them back, bringing all their learnings from this great experience.
The focus:
We need to sustain our consistency, prioritise ball possession, and manage momentum effectively. Our defensive performance has been outstanding, spanning the entire court and particularly in our defensive end.
The final word:
We're hoping for a large turnout and strong support from our Bond community to help us secure the win. We're hoping for favourable outcomes in other matches, so let's all hope for a little luck.
With Rebecca Stower.
Ruby
Last time they met:
Bull Sharks lost 47-45
The opposition:
Last time we fell short by just two points in a nail-biting finish. We struggled to adapt to the Wildcats' physical play, and the game slipped away in the dying seconds. They are a hard physical team, and with our last game of the season being a home game, we are aiming to rally a big crowd to cheer us on and create a strong home advantage. Both the Ruby and Sapphire teams have crucial matches against the Wildcats, and we need the support to push us over the line this weekend.
Shuffling the magnets:
We welcome Abby Boland back into the team who didn’t play when we met the Wildcats in round 8.
Ones to watch:
This game calls for every player to step up. We are looking for all 10 athletes to bring their A-game and leave everything on the court.
The focus:
Our defensive game has been effective in winning lots of ball through our full-court defence. This week, our focus will be on valuing possession and converting our turnovers into points. We need to be more effective in our decision making and ensure that every opportunity is capitalized on.
The final word:
With both the Ruby and Sapphire teams needing to secure victories against the Wildcats to keep our finals hopes alive, the stakes couldn't be higher. The outcome of other matches will also play a role in determining our fate. Given that it's a home game, we are counting on a strong and supportive crowd to give us the edge we need.
With Kim Boland.