Posted on 15 August, 2017
Hugh McMenamin Court will play host to the National Wheelchair Basketball League Finals Series this weekend, tipping-off on Friday night at 6.00pm as our Cobras take on the Wollongong Rollerhawks.
The two-time defending Cobras will battle the Rollerhawks in a battle of the league’s top two teams, with the winner advancing to the Championship Game on Sunday afternoon The loser will have to take the long road, playing the winner of Friday’s second semi final between Sydney and Queensland the following night with the winner of the Preliminary Final advancing to the Championship Game.
With our Cobras looking to achieve the elusive ‘Three-Peat’, make sure you get on down to give them a big home court advantage over the course of the weekend!
Ticket prices for the Finals Series will run in conjunction with our regular door entry prices for Friday night VJBL and Saturday Domestic competitions.
Friday: $3.00
Saturday: $2.50
Sunday: FREE
See the league’s preview of our Cobras as they enter the Finals Series below:
KILSYTH COBRAS
Record: 15-3, 2nd
Leading Scorer: Tristan Knowles- 25.9 points per game
Why They Will Win the Title: Only two teams have ever completed a three-peat in the history of the NWBL but the Cobras have the chance to become the third team in 2017 after achieving the ultimate success in 2015 and 2016. With the finals series being played at Kilsyth Sports Centre, they also have the added advantage of a home court and crowd to aid their quest while the Cobras have won five of their last six games coming into the playoffs.
Amongst a bevy of talented scorers in the league, Tristan Knowles remains one of the most dangerous offensive players. He is the most effective three-point shooter, sits second for assists at 11.4 per game to go with 25.9 points and 7.2 rebounds and he will be aided on the glass by Daniel Del Toso and Joshua Allison. While the Cobras only have three players averaging double-figures in scoring, they have six putting up over five points per game while their scoring ability goes all the way down to the likes of rising star Jeremy Tyndall. That spread has given them the most effective offence in the competition and if they can find their stroke at home, there could be no stopping them.
Why They Can’t: Wollongong loom as the biggest obstacle for Kilsyth to overcome this weekend and they must improve their defence if they are to get past the first-placed Rollerhawks. While they average just 57.8 points against this season, the Cobras have only held Wollongong to 75.6 points across three meetings. Sydney Metro also got off the leash in a Round 6 match-up, tallying 100 points which is sure to create some doubt in Kilsyth’s mind.
X-Factor: A veteran of the game, Shaun Groenewegen adds a nice dynamic to the Kilsyth team and his experience will prove invaluable once again as the Cobras head into the post-season. Hitting double-figures in ten of his 17 games, Groenewegen averages 10.4 points per game but has exceptionally effective numbers across the board with 50.8% field goal shooting, 37% three-point shooting and a 31-42 record from the free-throw line. He has been kept relatively quiet against Wollongong this season but that will only increase his determination for Friday night’s Semi-Final.
