Geelong Supercats v Canberra Gunners
Saturday, July 28 @ Geelong Arena
Tip-off 7:30pm
Referees – Clinton Boyd & Martin Parker

The Geelong Supercats should go into this week’s semi-final clash as favourites, having won a league best 22-4 regular season with a sensational 12-1 home court record. However, head to head between the two teams this year is 1-1 with the home team getting the win in both games. Both Canberra and Geelong have started a massive rivalry since last year's semi-final overtime victory to Geelong, which gave the Supercats the home court advantage in last year's grand final. Geelong won the decider 108-73 in the return match against Canberra.

League MVP favourite Anthony Petrie (26.6ppg, 12.4rpg, 2.4apg), Paul Denman (17.5ppg, 9.0rpg) and Glenn Baird have been a sensation in the frontcourt for the Gunners this season, but they will need to be at their best as the Supercats also have a talented frontcourt duo in MVP candidate Shawn Myers (21.3ppg, 10.6rpg), Dean Brebner and Jamal Brown (17.3ppg, 10.1rpg). Petrie has averaged 23ppg, 10.5rpg and 5bpg in both matches against Geelong and despite suffering fromthe flu last week, should be fully fit and keen to ruin 1,800 die-hard Supercats spectators' night.

Canberra Coach Frank Arsego will be keen for a solid contribution from talented local Zlatko Todorovski (15.6ppg, 4.0rpg), as he will have a tough battle in the backcourt with talented Supercat Jason Reardon (17.6ppg, 6.8rpg, 4.5apg). Both Zlatko and Jason play pivotal roles for their respective teams, and the final game result could be reflected by the contributions both players make to their team.

After a fantastic undefeated 17-win record to start the season, the Supercats had a disappointing finish to the regular season, losing three of their last six matches including a loss to Canberra in Round 17.

2007 Head to Head – Supercats 96-85 at Geelong (Round 3)
Gunners 100-86 at Canberra (rd17)

Bendigo Braves vs Hobart Chargers
Saturday 28th July @ Bendigo Schweppes Centre
Tip-off 8:00pm
Referees – Sharon Arnold & Ron Braemar

Despite second place on the ladder and a poor 3-10 road record this year, Hobart Chargers will be fairly confident of recording a surprise victory this week as they have defeated Bendigo twice already this year, including a 118-101 victory in round 1 at Bendigo.

Chargers' veteran sharp shooter Anthony Stewart (27.5ppg, 5.3rpg, 6.8apg) and Braves’ scoring machine Michael Hill (26.2ppg, 7.5rpg, 5.1apg) will renew their offensive battle. Between the two players, they have both tasted NBL Championship glory and both know what it takes to win a finals game. Stewart is a tough player to defend, as he has a brilliant outside game and currently leads the league in assists as well. Hill on the other hand is a tenacious defender and is capable of stopping Stewart. It was an intense fight in their Round 9 clash, with Hill winning the battle, scoring 33pts, 7rebs and 2ass, as well as containing Stewart to 18pts, 12ass and 12 turnovers.

Unsigned NBL talent Cameron Rigby (20.3ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.9apg) has been a cornerstone of the Braves’ successful season this year. Despite two poor games against his former team, Hobart, this year, Rigby has averaged 24pts, 7rebs in his last eight games and has reached peak form at the right time of the year. His duel in the paint with Chargers' favourite son Mark Nash (18.2ppg 11.7rpg, 3.3apg) will be an entertaining battle for the loud and devoted Braves crowd.

Bendigo youngster Warren Randall (9.2ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.0apg) has shown all season he is a player of the future for Bendigo, providing quality minutes and impressive contributions when Harvey was out injured. His impact this weekend will be crucial to the Braves' success. His major task for the night will be to harass Hobart playmaker Robert Inches (15.8ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.1apg), who by all accounts is one of the most under-rated players in the league.

2007 Head to Head – Chargers 118-101 at Bendigo (Round 1)
Chargers 103-98 at Hobart (Round 9)

NW Tasmania Thunder vs Kilsyth Cobras
Saturday 28th July @ Devonport Recreation Stadium
Tip-off 7:30pm
Referees – Chris Reid & Chris Ellis

Last time these two teams met in the conference semi-finals, NW Tasmania coach Mark Radford led his team to a 106-104 road victory. Kilsyth developed DJ Taylor and Adam Jackson was involved in this game and will be keen to seek revenge on the 2003 semi-final result.

Kilsyth brings a talented line-up to this match with Chris Cameron, Jon Croft (17.1ppg, 7.1rpg), DJ Taylor (12.3ppg, 6.8rpg, 2.5apg) and Shane Bright bound to give Thunder coach Mark Radford a few match-up problems to contend with. Taylor has been the surprise key provider in games these two teams have played, averaging 27.5ppg & 11.5rpg.

NW Tasmania Luke Brennan (16.1ppg, 9.0rpg) is coming off a Player of the Week performance in Round 21 and will be keen for another consistent performance. Brennan had 26pts, 14rebs in the Thunder’s rd16 victory and his performance in the paint against Cobras main man Chris Cameron (19.6ppg, 7.1rpg) will have a major impact on the games final outcome.

NW Tasmania will again rely heavily on the athleticism and raw talent of league leading scorer Troy de Vries (31.3ppg, 5.0rpg, 3.1apg) and Sam Armstrong (17.2ppg, 2.9rpg), who have been the foundation of the Thunder's success so far in 2007. Kilsyth defensive specialist David Smith will be given the defensive task of containing de Vries, who is capable of a strong offensive game if not contained. This is a job David is fully capable of completing with success. Smith did not play in the two games between the two teams earlier this year so his addition is a vital bonus for Cobras coach Grant Wallace.

2007 Head to Head – Cobras 123-85 at Kilsyth (Round 14)
Thunder 119-105 at Burnie (Round 16)