Matt Shanahan is a likely return from injury for South and will add valuable depth to the line-up. With Rosell Ellis and Kavossy Franklin in red-hot form and Shane Heal, Joe Ingles and Jacob Holmes perpetual threats, the Dragons go west full of confidence.

South have fought close battles with the Wildcats all season and Sunday night will be no exception. After succumbing to Perth by just four points on two previous occasions, the Dragons are primed to snare the elusive win.

The Wildcats have been lucky to edge out two come-from-behind wins this season and should not rely on similar good fortune this weekend. Following their fighting loss to Brisbane on Wednesday night the Dragons know they have what it takes to challenge the powerhouse teams of the league.

Although Perth occupies the lofty second rung of the Philips Championship ladder they have been pushed by the Dragons all season and are well within the Victorians’ reach.

In-form Dragons Rosell Ellis and Kavossy Franklin have starred in previous clashes with Perth, with 47 and 43 points to their names respectively across the two encounters.

Ellis and Franklin will again be critical in staving off the impact of Wildcats Shawn Redhage and Paul Rogers, who have dominated against the Dragons in the past.

On paper there is little that separates Franklin from Redhage or Ellis from Rogers; Franklin averages 21.4 points per game and Redhage 21.5 while Ellis averages 11.3 total rebounds per game and Rogers collects 10.3. Expect an electric showdown between these big names at both ends of the court.

For Ellis, Shanahan and Brent Hobba the road trip marks a return to familiar territory. The three Dragons stars have each played for Perth in years gone by and would love nothing more than to knock off their former club at The Jungle this weekend.

The hunt is on.

Perth Wildcats v South Dragons
@ Challenge Stadium, 28/01/07
Tip-off 6:00pm AEDT