Melbourne (1-0) vs Werribee (0-1)
Saturday 8:30pm at Mill Park

The connections between these two clubs run very deep. Werribee Coach Warrick Giddey is of course the current NBL assistant with the Tigers and coached their Big V program in 2005. Daryl Corletto is a former Devils junior, James Guljas likewise and Chris Moore is a former Tigers player. Throw in the fact that D-Mac senior, the Tigers NBL point guard is now coaching the Big V Tigers and you basically have a scenario where the team introductions will be strictly for the crowd.

Werribee are up against it here. They started poorly last weekend, robbed of two marquee names in Platenik and Threatt. If either can make the court this week, the Devils become a lot better. And they'll need to, the Tigers were very convincing last weekend in disposing of a new look Pacers outfit. Its just a 20 game season, where six or seven losses could easily see you out of the finals race, the Devils want to make sure they are not 0-2 coming out of round 2.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Melbourne 4 lead Werribee 0
Coaches: Darryl McDonald (snr) 1-2 (33%) / Warrick Giddey 48-28 (63%)
Milestones: Ivan Platenik (Werr) needs just one game for 100
Brad Salter (Werr) needs just 12 rebounds to 1000

Eltham (1-0) vs Latrobe City (0-1)
Saturday 8:00pm at Eltham High School
The Pacers were bitterly disappointed with their showing last weekend, considering the big crowd that assembled at the new look Traralgon stadium to see them open 2006. Norton, Reid and the like need to provide some firepower this week if they are going to get over a highly organized Eltham group.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Eltham 9 lead Latrobe City 3
Coaches: Andre Sammut (Elth) 59-63 (48%) / Dean Vickerman (LatC) 0-1 (0%)
Milestones: Duncan Brooks (LatC) needs just 5 points for 1000

Sandringham (1-0) vs Dandenong (0-1)
Saturday 8:00pm at Sandringham
The Sabres started 2006 much as expected but the Rangers did not, surprised by an effective Waverley. Dandenong will have plenty of motivation here, last week part of hat, but also a 2-0 series loss to the Sabres in last years GF.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Sandringham 4 lead Dandenong 0
Coaches: Vince Crivelli (Sand) 117-37 (76%) / Warren Dawson (Dand) 18-11 (62%)
Milestones: Lester Strong (Dan) needs 25 rebounds for 500 in Big V competition

Warrnambool (1-0) vs Hume City (0-1)
Saturday 8:00pm at the Arc
If there is a recipe for a big crowd at the Arc it is a big win the week before and a favourite rival coming to town - and here come the Broncos. Once again brothers Shane and Greg Smith square up - at a venue that Hume City have never won.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Warrnambool 3 lead Hume City 2
Coaches: Rod Hind (Warn) 1-0 (100%) / Kevin Fleming (Hume) 39-15 (72%)
Milestones: Bobby Cunningham (Warn) needs just 33 points for 3000 in Big V Competition

Ringwood (0-1) vs Diamond Valley (0-1)
Saturday 8:15pm at Maroondah
The Hawks had a pretty inhospitable welcome last weekend from the Seahawks, and will be more than keen to make amends with a big win over DV at home. DV looked underdone last week, and if they can curtail their turnovers and hit their free throws, might just spring a win here.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Ringwood 8 lead Diamond Valley 4
Coaches: Ken Harrington (Ring) 44-29 (60%) / Kelvin Bowers (DV) 0-1 (0%)
Milestones: Luke McMillan (Ring) needs 18 rebounds for 500 in Big V competition

Dandenong (0-1) vs Eltham (1-0)
Sunday 2:00pm at Dandenong
Seach, Moore and Lorych will have their hands full containing Dandenong's huge front line but Lister and Lowry should provide the Wildcats with a significant back-court advantage. This could be close, and Eltham would fancy their chances of springing an upset.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Dandenong 2 lead Etham 0
Coaches: Warren Dawson 18-11 (62%) / Andre Sammut (Elth) 59-63 (48%)
Milestones: Lester Strong (Dan) needs 25 rebounds for 500 in Big V competition

Waverley (2-0) vs Latrobe City (0-1)
Sunday 2:15pm at Waverley
The Falcon's all round strength looks too good on paper for a Latrobe City side that is playing its second game of the weekend. The Pacers will be looking for new import Joe Hooks to win the battle in the paint against Knowles and Leech to free up what is potentially a potent back-court.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head:
Coaches: Mike Slusher (Wav) 34-65 (34%) / Dean Vickerman (LatC) 0-1 (0%)
Milestones: Duncan Brooks (LatC) needs just 5 points for 1000

Championship Women

Game of the Week
Sandringham (2-0) vs Dandenong (1-0)
Saturday 6:00pm at Sandringham
Both of these teams won last weekend, the Sabres emphatically in both games they played. It sets this up nicely especially as now it looks like Dandenong's twin towers in Waixel and Downie will be making Lough and Fowler work a little harder for their numbers than they had to last week.

Sandringham's spectacular form is likely to slump just a little as player of the week Sam Richards spends time interstate with the Opals. Richards clearly showed she was leading the show last weekend and the Sabres might need to get used to her occasional absences as the Opals prepare for the 2006 World Championships in Brazil. Still, Ryan and Jordan both put in big games last week so Dandenong have lots to counter. What we don't know yet is which one of these teams plays the better defence - we might find out a little more about that Saturday night.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Sandringham 3 lead Dandenong 2
Coaches: Lori Chizik (Sand) 47-27 (64%) / Michael Davies (Dan) 17-4 (81%)
Milestones: Alex Lough (Sand) needs just 3 rebounds to 1000 in Big V competition

Melbourne (0-1) vs Coburg (0-2)
Saturday 6:30pm at Mill Park
The Tigers play their first ever game at Mill Park and will be looking for a brighter result to what they experienced at the Arena last Sunday. Both them and Coburg were first round losers to the Cats - Melbourne would probably favoured to record their first win here.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Melbourne 11 lead Coburg 3
Coaches: Paul Simpson (Melb) 63-36 (64%) / Rino Zancan (Cob) 57-80 (42%)
Milestones: Ebony Just (Melb) needs two games for 100 in Big V

Bulleen (0-2) vs Geelong (2-0)
Saturday 8:00pm at Templestowe
The Cats looked to be very composed in both of last weekend's wins and have really blended together some youthful talent with some physical and experienced players. Bulleen might struggle here to contain a confident Geelong outfit.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Bulleen 13 lead Geelong 3
Coaches: Michael McBrien (Bull) 0-2 (0%) / Marissa Kol (Gee) 19-39 (33%)

Waverley (1-1) vs Hume City (0-1)
Saturday 8:15pm at Waverly
While Hume were humbled last week they were missing Milner and Penaluna and NZ International Cocks had only just joined the team, they will have regained some composure during the week but still, destined to be without Milner, Waverley look too like favourites here.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Hume City 3 lead Waverley 0
Coaches: Matt Dickens (Wav) 13-11 (54%) / Glen Milner (Wav) 23-19 (55%)

Hume City (0-1) vs Melbourne (0-1)
Sunday 2:00pm at Broadmeadows
Both of these sides play Saturday so they start even. If Tammy Hoare can dominate Ardossi, then Hume should be able to use their home court advantage to grab the `w' here.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Melbourne 3 lead Hume City 2
Coaches: Glen Milner (Hume) 23-19 (55%) / Paul Simpson (Melb) 63-36 (64%)
Milestones: Ebony Just (Melb) needs just 2 games for 100 in Big V Competition

Eltham (1-0) vs Dandenong (1-0)
Sunday 2:30pm at Eltham High School
It's hard to go past Eltham here. They are settled, grabbed a win last week and they don't play Saturday, ensuring they will be ready to go. The Rangers will need to be at their best to overcome them.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Eltham 1 tied with Dandenong 1
Coaches: Jeremi Moule (Elth) 24-5 (83%) / Michael Davies (Dan) 17-4 (81%)
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