Posted on 27 April, 2018
The Cobra Men and Women play host to cross-town rivals, the Dandenong Rangers, on Saturday night as part of our Junior Domestic Night triple header evening. We’re offering FREE ENTRY to all Kilsyth Junior Domestic players under the age of 18 who wear their team gear on the night!
The Lady Cobras (3-1) are looking to bounce back from a shock loss at home last weekend, as they fell to the Melbourne Tigers, 73-91. With two-time league MVP and Australian Opal Steph Blicavs, and import Jasmine Gill making their season debuts, the Lady Cobras struggled to find a rhythm offensively after having limited preparation time with their star wing scorers. With an additional week of time to integrate both Blicavs and Gill back into the lineup, the Lady Cobras are poised for a much improved showing on Saturday as they take on their bitter rivals from Dandenong.
The Rangers enter with a 4-2 record following a big Anzac Day victory on the road against Frankston. Centre Tayla Roberts (18.0ppg/12.8rpg) has been a dominant force inside for Dandenong, while Kiera Rowe and Taylah Gillam enter the weekend averaging a combined 24 points per game.
Anxious to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointing loss and sporting a full lineup for the first time this season, the Lady Cobras are a strong chance to bounce back with a home win on Junior Domestic Night.
The Cobra Men moved to 3-1 on the season following an incredible 101-46 home win over Melbourne last Saturday. The 55 point win was the largest margin of victory in the league this season, with the Cobras well-rounded scoring attack fuelling the victory. Five Cobras scored in double-figures on Saturday night – seven in total have scored 10-plus points this season – as coach Justin Schueller continues to get deep contributions on a weekly basis. Felix von Hofe and Isaac Turner lead the team with a combined 32 points per game, while starters Chris Patton, Sam Daly and Dane Pineau have done a little bit of everything for a Cobras team looking to remain perfect at home.
Dandenong improved to 3-2 on the season following back-to-back wins over Diamond Valley and Frankston. The Rangers possess arguably the league’s deadliest offensive weapon in Anthony Drmic (30.0ppg/10.8rpg), with the Adelaide 36ers star off to an incredible start to the new season. Perth Wildcats big-man Rhys Vague (19.5ppg/7.0rpg) has been just as impressive down low, while veteran Lucas Barker (13.2ppg/6.8rpg/7.4apg) has led Dandenong from the point guard position with some stellar all-around play.
With the Rangers possessing some serious offensive firepower, and Kilsyth set to be without defensive stalwart Owen Odigie (representing Australia at the 3×3 FIBA Asia Cup), the Cobras will be seriously tested on the defensive end. But if they continue to receive outstanding production from both the starters and reserves, the Cobras have a chance to move to 4-1 on the new season.
The Cobra VYC Women will tip-off Junior Domestic Night at 4pm as they take on Ringwood, followed by the SEABL Women at 6pm and Men at 8pm. All Kilsyth Junior Domestic players (under 18 years old) who wear their team gear receive FREE ENTRY to all three games!
Rounding out the weekend are the VYC Cobra Men, who play host to Bulleen in a stand alone game on Sunday at 1pm, with entry FREE to both adults and children.
