Hoops

United vs Wildcats, Feb 16

Yep, been hoping to get Adelaide back in Perth since the Teys/DKD thing, and NZ smacking a first-placed Melbourne in the semis again would be good fun.

Given Perths form I'm going into the playoffs with low expectations and predicting a Melb/Adelaide final, but Perth could be a real Wildcard for the championship if things go right.

The week off will give the older guys and Damo a chance to rest up which will help defensively. If Tokoto and Cotton go into beast mode they can carry Perth offensively to a title (Brandt finding his playoff form from last year would also be handy). Plus Perth's playoff experience can't be under estimated, and Playoff Perth is a whole different beast to regular season Perth.

Like i said though, not really expecting it, but they could be a wildcard.

Of course it's Melbourne. Unless one or two go down for an injury between now and finals, it's curtains for everyone else.

Incredibly nervous about Sunday's game for Cats. I really hope they sneak a win but man, it's looking unlikely.

My pick is still Melbourne. They finally look good this year. About time all that financial outlay payed off anyway.

I only said it would be interesting to see them match up now. Sorry that seems like such a horrible, offensive comment....

I guess you go out each season to do your best and try to win. But given all the hype about a 3-peat, I expected better from Perth.

Aside from personally wanting to witness a few more home wins, I'm personally not fussed. Streak is alive, and Cats have been too dominate in recent years.
3-peat idea was presumably hyped by marketing, but I don't think they really went for it.
Lucky to have gotten what they did from Walker, and Cooke is just a spud.

Yeah I think Perth have suffered greatly from Knight 's retirement. Needed more- or something different- from Cooke's position

If JP or Cotton really get going they could still win it, but it's looking unlikely without home court advantage.

That was the role I'd hoped to see Prather playing.

Good to see new things tried- More time for Hooley, inc PG. Prather off the bench, 11 players used properly and it all fitted together reasonably well.

United has the look of a championship team about them.

Then again, it can all change in one game.

Btw who the hell were those refs? One of the worst reffed games I've seen

Melbourne will win unless someone goes down injured.

Any news on whether Wagstaff is playing Sunday?

United played 6ers 3 times in the first 2 weeks of the season. Adelaide only had 2 imports and lots of injuries then. Shorter also went home due to the hurricane. Be interesting to see them match up now with 6ers fit and in form.

I don't get it either. I've been saying all week that our title chances - as small as they are - would benefit more from giving up on this game and resting hurt players than putting them through a home-away double.

Why are they playing him then? Strange.

Apart from all the tanking talk, that was all sadly predictable.

"Vague is a waste of a roster spot"
Vague is a DP, and pretty much the pick of the bunch.

Not sure why he didn't go to College, might have been better for him than Enid Blighton.

And Yes, Damo is playing injured, has been for weeks.

Surely it's the refs fault?

You guys are right some of the recruiting and signings have been criminal highlighted by signing Cooke AND then not replacing him.

Also Stiendl was signed because his girlfriend is playing for the Lynx. You don't sign a player just because he happens to be in town. Amateur hour.

The signing I don't get for the cats is DKD he's rarely used (Obviously suspended tonight) but he just seems useless overall

Melbourne are stacked, not sure why people are surprised by the loss. The signing I just DO NOT GET is Steindl... He literally does nothing. He was signed as a shooter but barely hits and does nothing else. Cooke was a waste of an import spot and why they didn't upgrade when Knight went out is beyond ridiculous.
Hopefully they bounce back for Sunday.

"the standard set by the Wildcats has eroded in the space of a month. Major shakeup in players, coaches and upper management is needed. Clean them all out." great isn't it.

So is this current incarnation of the Cats. Woeful.

Waiting for Trev to explain how disrespectful the league and the world in general is to the cats lol 2 horse race, but it’s a very very good race. Rip cats and whatever that breakers situation is.

Vague is a waste of a roster spot...actually, he’s a waste of oxygen

97-83? WTF, the standard set by the Wildcats has eroded in the space of a month. Major shakeup in players, coaches and upper management is needed. Clean them all out.

Boss. Moves.

Hahahaha Vague trying to guard Prather

ADL benefit the most from Felix going out for Prather.

Adelaide is clearly favourites. This Melbourne stunt is nothing special..

Perth are TRASH

Speaking of delayed reactions I'm still waiting for Gleeson to do something to address this slide. It's been like a month.

Haha that was interesting delayed acting

Funny how Goulding cries 2 minutes after getting hit. Slow brain.

Unlike Cairns.

2nd spot LOL

Goddamn this is a good team

Very disappointing performance considering NZ lost should've been a boost. No hunger for that second spot either.

"Gleeson was/is average coach who got a gig of a lifetime when he got a prime Cats team."

Slowly people are figuring this out. Akin to Lemanis.

Cottom gets hit like that all the time, thats just a bad call

Yes Manu. He can't even stay ahead of his man.

Casper blowing by Damo just confirms it for me. He ain't right / ain't the same. Age, probably

Tokoto is frustrating. No threeball so it's so super obvious he wants to drive it in each time from the three line. Also his foul shooting... ewww.

You know what I want to see more of? Gleeson arguing with refs

+1, anon

Cats are such trash. It’s awesoms. Hope their arrogant fans base are really struggling to deal with this.

LOL Vickerman ... perfect view of that too

This is pure therapy for United tonight. Vibin'

Steindl has turned into Blanchfield, just shoots it every time he gets it, open or not.

United using all of the net. Cats using a lot of the rim.

That was not over the back come on

If people are thinking all United does is shoot threes, then they're sorely mistaken. That has been the difference between the United of the first half of the season and the United of now. Using all of the floor

garbage basketball from cats, cant shoot for shit

Dammit Walker