Game of the Week
Ringwood (4-7) vs Warrnambool (8-4)
Saturday 8:15pm at Maroondah
The Seahawks opened their 2006 with something of a surprise win over the Hawks at the Arc but they've been showing ever since it really was not much of a surprise at all, putting together an excellent 8-4 record. In contrast, Ringwood have been one of the disappointments of the season, but can not yet be counted out of finals.

Lose this and possibly they can. Eight losses would seem to be too many to recover from at this point and make fifth spot, especially given the top three sides have lost just nine games combined. For the Hawks, with nine games remaining, the challenge would appear to be winning seven of their last nine - it would be an extraordinary run but if things start to flow offensively they might just achieve it.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Ringwood 4 trail Warrnambool 9
Coaches Records: Ken Harrington (Ring) 48-35 (58%) / Rod Hind (Warn) 8-4 (67%)
Milestones: Sam Philp (Ring) needs just 29 points for 1000 with Ringwood

Werribee (2-9) vs Melbourne (8-3)
Saturday 7:00pm at Werribee
Given the Tigers are in China on tour we would expect this game to be significantly affected by unavailable players, and coaches. That can only help Werribee, who will be without Giddey.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Werribee 0 trail Melbourne 5
Coaches Records:
Milestones: Michael Petridis (Werribee) needs just 3 games for 100 in Big V Competition
Cameron Luke (Werribee) needs just 1 game for 100 in Big V Competition

Sandringham (10-1) vs Hume City (6-5)
Saturday 8:00pm at Sandringham
Sabres Coach Vince Crivelli is also in China so Dave Pummel gets another chance to build a Big V coaching record, and in a very big game - these two clubs share the warmest of fierce rivalries, and this game will be no exception.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Sandringham 4 trail Hume City 5
Coaches Records: Dave Pummel (Sand) 0-1 (0%) / Kevin Fleming (Hume) 45-19 (70%)
Milestones: Nathan Crosswell (Sandringham) needs just 8 rebounds for 500 in Big V Competition
Marcus Timmons (Sandringham) needs just 4 defensive rebounds for 500 in Big V Competition

Latrobe City (2-9) vs Eltham (4-7)
Saturday 8:00pm at Traralgon
The Pacers got Vashon Weaver back on court last weekend which means things are starting to look up for the Gippsland based team - they will be tested, the Wildcats form is more than satisfactory.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Latrobe City 4 trail Eltham 9
Coaches Records: Craig Adams (LatC) 0-3 (0%) / Andre Sammut (Elth) 62-70 (47%)
Milestones: Vashon Weaver (Latrobe City) needs just 3 games for 100 in Big V Competition

Waverley (7-5) vs Dandenong (8-3)
Saturday 8:15pm at Waverley
The Falcons are another side that have had the better of Dandenong since the Rangers entered the competition - with the exception of a big finals win last year. Dandenong will be looking to even up that count a little and appear to have the form and the talent to do it.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Waverley 3 lead Dandenong 1
Coaches Records: Mike Slusher (Wav) 39-70 (36%) / Warren Dawson (Dan) 26-13 (67%)
Milestones: Lester Strong (Dan) needs just 8 points for 1000 in Big V Competition

Hume City (6-5) vs Latrobe City (2-9)
Sunday 2;15pm at Broadmeadows
While the Bronco's have beaten Latrobe in all four games played between the sides since Hume joined the league, the margin has never been greater than 13 points. With the Pacers understaffed, that could change here.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Hume City 4 lead Latrobe City 0
Coaches Records: Kevin Fleming (Hume) 45-19 (70%) / Craig Adams (LatC) 0-3 (0%)
Milestones: Vashon Weaver (Latrobe City) needs just 3 games for 100 in Big V Competition

Eltham (4-7) vs Diamond Valley (3-9)
Sunday 2:30pm at Eltham
Ivan Platenik cleared from Werribee to DV before last weekends games and it remains a surprise that he did not suit. If he does it could put a whole new complexion on this game - which is always fiercely contested.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Eltham 10 lead Diamond Valley 3
Coaches Records: Andre Sammut (Elth) 62-70 (47%) / Kelvin Bowers (DV) 3-9 (25%)
Milestones: Warrick Straw (DV) needs just 6 points for 1000 in Big V Competition

Melbourne (8-3) vs Warrnambool (8-4)
Sunday 3;00pm at Mill Park
Once again this Melbourne line-up will be affected by the Tigers China tour - it would have been close to call before that but the balance would tip in Warrnambool's favour here.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Melbourne 2 lead Warrnambool 3
Coaches Records: / Rod Hind (Warn) 8-4 (67%)

Championship Women

Game of the Week
Dandenong (10-3) vs Hume City (5-5)
Saturday 8:00pm at Dandenong
Last weeks loss to Bulleen did Hume City's chances a whole world of damage. What could have been 6-6 and a place in the top four quickly became 5-7 and equal fifth but sixth on percentage. For a team that has already been struck with injury and unavailability, and will further be affected by Elyse Penaluna's commitment to the Gems, it was a big blow.

What it means is that Hume can no longer rely on beating teams around it to make the four. The Bronco's simply must pull off some major upsets on the way home. And this would be a major upset were it to happen. Dandenong pounded Bulleen last week, and Hume can expect to be given exactly the same sort of treatment at the Dandenong stadium.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Dandenong 4 lead Hume City 0
Coaches Records: Michael Davies (Hume) 27-6 (82%) / Glen Milner (Dand) 27-26 (51%)

Geelong (5-7) vs Coburg (2-9)
Saturday 5:30pm at the Arena
The Cats might not have been expected to win against Eltham last weekend but its unlikely anyone would have predicted the hiding they got - this game is a chance to consolidate and find some form.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Geelong 7 trail Coburg 10
Coaches Records: Marissa Kol (Gee) 22-46 (32%) / Rino Zancan (Cob) 60-86 (41%)
Milestones: Candice Rogers (Geelong) needs just 16 defensive rebounds for 500 in Big V Competition

Sandringham (10-1) vs Waverley (5-6)
Saturday 6:00pm at Sandringham
The Sabres should regain Caitlin Ryan this weekend and that just spells trouble for Waverley, who's best chance of a win here sits with their outside scorers.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Sandringham 3 trail Waverley 8
Coaches Records: Lori Chizik (Sand) 55-28 (66%) / Matt Dickens (Wav) 16-16 (50%)
Milestones: Sharon Grieve (Waverley) needs just 3 games for 100 Big V games

Eltham (10-1) vs Melbourne (4-8)
Saturday 7:30pm at Eltham
The Wildcats awesome demolition job on Geelong last weekend shows just what sort of form they are in. For Melbourne to have a chance they will need to do an amazing defensive job.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Eltham 7 lead Melbourne 8
Coaches Records: Jeremi Moule (Elth) 32-7 (82%) / Paul Simpson (Melb) 67-43 (61%)
Milestones: Sarah Lang (Elth) needs just 3 games for 100 in Big V Competition

Melbourne (4-8) vs Coburg (2-9)
Sunday 1:00pm at Mill Park
On form the Tigers should take this but Paul Simpson will be very aware that Coburg have surprised his sides in recent years, including a shock win early last year.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Melbourne 12 lead Coburg 3
Coaches Records: Paul Simpson (Melb) 67-43 (61%) / Rino Zancan (Cob) 60-86 (41%)

Bulleen (2-11) vs Sandringham (10-1)
Sunday 2:00pm at Templestowe

The Boomers hit the highs and lows last weekend beating Hume before losing to Dandenong. It might be a further dose of reality here for them with the Sabres form still ominous.

Big V Historical Information
All Time Head to Head: Bulleen 9 lead Sandringham 10
Coaches Records: Michael McBrien (Bull) 2-11 (15%) / Lori Chizik (Sand) 55-28 (66%)