Mt Gambier vs Bendigo
Despite a 7-9 head to head record at the Icehouse for the Braves, they have won their past two matches in Mt Gambier, and will go into the contest as firm favourites. Bendigo defeated the Pioneers easily in Round 7 with a 99-70 victory, and currently hold a four-game winning streak and first place on the ladder. The battle in the paint between Pioneer Ryan Blankson (22.6ppg, 13.4rpg) and Brave Cameron Rigby (19.8ppg, 7.5rpg) will be an intense battle.

Ballarat vs NW Tasmania
Ballarat are undefeated against NW Tasmania since June 2003 at the WIN Minerdome, and coach Matt Shanahan will be keen to keep the record intact. NW Tasmania need to record two victories this weekend to have any hope of snatching second position from rivals Hobart, and with a 112-94 victory in Round 12, will start the game full of confidence.

Geelong vs NW Tasmania
Although sitting comfortably in first position on the East ladder, Geelong are in a late-season form slump and need to record a win this week to revitalise their Championship hopes. Supercat Shawn Myers (21.5ppg, 10.8rpg) continues to produce consistent numbers each week, and is by far the team's MVP. He is one player the Thunder will need to pay extra attention to at both ends of the floor.

Frankston vs Knox
Knox has recorded three consecutive victories at Frankston since March 2004, but will go into this week's contest as the clear underdogs. Frankston received an unlikely defeat at Nunawading last week, and need to win all remaining games to have any hope of snatching the all-important second position in the East. The talented guard combination of Harms/Strzebonski will be too good for the inexperienced Raiders backcourt and Frankston should win comfortably.

Albury/Wodonga vs Canberra
All eyes will be on the match-up between Gunner Anthony Petrie (27.0ppg, 12.7rpg, 2.5apg) and Bandit Brad Sheridan (22.0ppg, 9.9rpg, 3.0apg, 3.0bpg). Both are contenders for the prestigious MVP award at season's end, and play a vital role for their respective teams. Canberra holds a 15-11 head to head record against Albury/Wodonga, with nine consecutive victories dating back to May 2003.

Kilsyth vs Hobart
Confidence will be at an extreme high in the Cobras' camp at present after a sensational weekend with victory over Geelong, and a three-point defeat of Bendigo. The Cobras received valuable contributions from Cameron, Croft and team captain DJ Taylor, and will need to play another prominent game this week.

Knox vs Hobart
Hobart has not had great success at Knox Converse Stadium in the past with a 5-10 head to head record. CJ Massingale (23.3ppg, 5.3rpg) was outstanding last week, but received minimal help from his teammates. However CJ will likely get the task of containing Chargers' sharp-shooter Anthony Stewart (28.6ppg, 7.0apg) this week, and therefore the two players’ defensive skills will be tested, and may impact on the game's final outcome.

Nunawading vs Ballarat
Despite both teams unable to make finals, victory will be on the minds of both coaches. Miners' playing coach Matt Shanahan returns to the stadium in which he played and trained for many hours as a junior and will be keen to score a victory against his former club.

SEABL WOMEN

Ballarat vs NW Tasmania
NW Tasmania currently sit in fifth position and need a consistent weekend on the mainland to remain in finals contention. Unfortunately the Lady Thunder has struggled in games against Ballarat, losing all eight contests between the two teams since joining the league in 2005. Ballarat have first place and a home court advantage all sewn up, but coach Kym Cassells will not be keen to record a loss at this stage of the season.

Frankston vs Knox
With no Australian Opals to rely on this week, the Knox Raiders will need to find an instant scorer in a hurry if they are going to win this game. Grima and Randall average 62% of the Raiders' score, therefore a lot will be expected of Raiders youngsters Fidge, Angel and Waterhouse to step up and fill the big scoring hole. Rumours also suggest that 300+ game veteran Chelsea Laing will return from three months on the sideline due to injury, which will be a welcome addition for coach Mark Holland.

Albury/Wodonga vs Launceston
Both teams are out of the finals race, but this won't stop each team giving 100% in this game. Head to head is at one a piece this year, but both games were played at Launceston, therefore Albury/Wodonga will be hoping a home court advantage this week will help their cause. The Tornadoes' Crista Hays (20.8ppg, 10.4rpg) is in fine late-season form and will need to be contained by the Lady Bandits if they are to record the win.

Kilsyth vs NW Tasmania
This game will likely decide the fourth and final placing in the conference top four. Victory to Kilsyth and the Lady Cobras will consolidate their position. Victory to NW Tasmania and they will move into the four with a head-to-head advantage over Kilsyth. Two tough losses last weekend to top four contenders Bendigo and Knox hurt the Lady Cobras' finals aspirations, but coach Jason Knight will be keen to record a win in their last home game of the season and consolidate the much-deserved finals placing.

Knox vs Albury/Wodonga
In five matches between the two teams, the Knox Raiders have recorded a victory in each game. If the Lady Bandits had any chance of recording a win, this week is a prime opportunity with the “Opal Twin Towers” in China. Raider Julia Tan is a quality defender, and will get the task of containing sharp shooter Jessica Bibby (25.4ppg, 3.3apg), a task she is fully capable of completing with success.

Nunawading vs Launceston
Nunawading lost their chances of securing a finals position with an overtime loss to Knox last week. They also lose Deanna Smith to Opals commitments, leaving coach Larissa Anderson with a major offensive option out of the rotation. However recent silver medal winning Australian Sapphire Chantella Pererra is likely to return to her junior association and is fully capable of filling the vacated shoes of Smith. Head to head is at 1-1, but the Spectres better home record this year should get them over the line.