Posted on 19 June, 2019

Who said Rivalry Round was finished? Another rivalry showdown is on the cards this Saturday night as the NBL1 Cobras play host to the Nunawading Spectres in a huge home doubleheader.

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The red-hot Cobra Women pushed their winning streak to eight on the weekend, following a blowout home win over rivals Knox to move into top-four positioning in the NBL1 league standings. The race for a top-four finish is a tight one, though, as the Spectre Women sit tied with the Cobras for fourth, each entering the weekend with a 9-4 record. With just seven games remaining in the regular season, Saturday’s matchup is a vital one for both squads, with a top-four finish securing a double-chance come playoff time.

The Cobra Men recorded their second straight win on Saturday night, riding an incredible 22-0 fourth quarter run to top Knox in a stunning come-from-behind victory. Following a midseason slump, the Cobras have regrouped with a pair of impressive wins, and now sit third in the NBL1 standings at 8-5. Above them in second, though, are the Spectres, who enter with the leagues second best record at 10-3. A rematch of last year’s SEABL preliminary final and a battle of two of the NBL1’s elite,  Saturday’s meeting – and potential first round playoff matchup – promises to be an absolute thriller.

Two top-four encounters against one of our most heated rivals, this is one not to be missed!

Full Men’s preview via NBL1.com.au

Kilsyth Cobras can’t retry their playoff loss to Nunawading last season but if they win their clash with the Spectres on Saturday they can strike a blow towards this year’s title.

The Cobras and Spectres meet at Kilsyth and while both have players overseas with Australian sides, both clubs approach the game confident they can take the win.

Cobras coach Justin Schueller said his side wanted a win as they knew this year’s title would again go through the Spectres.

“We have had this one circled on our calendar since we let that game slip in the preliminary final last year,” Schueller said.

“We are all still hurting from that and it’s been a focal point in how we wanted to attack this year, we don’t get to let ourselves down again and this is a test of where we are at against a playoff team.

“If we are going to win it, we will need to go through Nunawading.”

Import guard Isaac Turner had a breakout game last round with 24 points off the bench and some people would have been surprised to hear such an accomplished guard was coming off the bench but Schueller explained why that has happened and how it may not continue this week.

“I felt I did him a disservice by starting him when he came back from his injuries – it seemed like we had the same expectations even though he was still coming back,” Schueller said.

“So I made a decision to bring him off the bench and he found his rhythm, he’s been averaging over 20 points since then and now we go through the process on whether to continue that or start him again.”

Young guard Michael Wearne has joined the Cobras in recent weeks and added some drive and dare to the side, while also helping cover Sean MacDonald, who is away with the Australian under-19 side.

The Spectres will be without guard Tom Wright, forward Andrew Steel and coach Dave Biwer who are away with the Australian side at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup but that hasn’t stopped their side winning games.

The Cobras have regained their shooting touch after some lean weeks mid-season and that could be the key to this week’s game, especially if veterans Shane McDonald and Simon Conn keep up their recent hot form.

“The difference in the last few games is that we are shooting the ball well again,” Schueller said.

“For us it’s about staying the course and getting everyone gelling now we have Turner back and Wearne with us.

“We are still not where we want to be but we are going in the right direction – this week’s game will be a good test.”