Here is a look at the weekend’s games and as an extra special treat I will be taking a look at PL1 & PL2.

PL

Rockingham vs Carine
Likely Match-up: J Wishart vs J Hookway
Likey Line-up:
Carine -  J Hookway, Hayes, Heitman, Baker, Schurman, Kempton, Ireton, Johns, Vaderwilk.
Rockingham – J Wishart, C Eckley, Fussell, Pribicevich, Keeping, Redman, Osborn, Clay, Hilleard.
Last time they met: Rockingham 10 def Carine 6
Head to Head: Rockingham 2 – Carine 1
The Rams destroyed a hapless Curtin, who really just didn’t seem to give a sh*t. The Cats left their bats at home on Sunday getting shut down by Mr Can’t Frow himself (not my words). This, if you are an avid reader of the blogs is a precursor to the Grand Final, and with much on the line for both this will be a good old fashioned slobber knocker. Neither of these teams will fancy the prospect of playing against either of two teams in red hot form next week. There is real risk/reward in this game, both want to go straight in the the grand final, but also both will want to have their respective imports available for game one. Wishy has been steady, but certainly has lost a lot of zip on his fastball, and now has to rely more heavily on his off-speed stuff, which can be ordinary at times. He was taken apart by the Bears a couple of weeks ago and that could be at the back of his mind, but he was also on fire last weekend striking out 15 Brewers, which Wishy is going to show up? Hookway has had a relatively light workload recently, which could mean one of two things; he will either be nice and fresh for this clash, or will be a bit rusty and susceptible to getting hit about. Offensively Rockingham have the wood over the cats, the likes of Clay, Wishart & Eckley love playing the Cats and have been huge producers over the course of this season. Keeping and Pribicevich also boast good records over the Cats in recent times. Carine have lost a pretty decent weapon in Hobbs-Brown, while his numbers were on the decrease he still posed a threat offensively, that hole will now have to be filled with someone coming up from PL1. The middle of Carine’s order can be streaky, Hayes has been a shadow of his early season form and Schurman has been the only reliable bat for the Cats. Again the 5-9 spots will be crucial, and will need to get bonus hits out of Baker, Ireton and Johns. Knowledge of situations and counts is a huge weakness for the Cats.
Prediction: It will be a hostile reception for the Cats down at Hourglass and without too much support with no other teams down there it will be too much for them, Rockingham comfortably.

Balcatta vs UWA
Likely match-up: Clarke vs Goldman
Likely line-up:
Balcatta – Clarke, S Russell, T Stephenson, Willox, Darracott, A Stephenson, P Stephenson, M Russell, Mulhall
UWA – Goldman, S Barrell, Ottey, Pascoe, Major, Torpy, Stillitano, Buckley, Taylor
Last time they met: Balcatta 10 def UWA 8
Head to Head: Balcatta 2 – UWA 1
This for mine is the more interesting match-up of the two PL finals, an absolute must win game for two teams in red hot form. They last clashed two weeks ago and it was a belter, I expect this to be more of the same. The Bears will be brimming with confidence after edging out the highly favoured Cats in a Play-off like score line (although from what I hear the atmosphere was anything but), and the Whips, who have won eight of their last nine matches are a Juggernaut rolling their way through the competition. Balcatta took the chocolates over UWA last time, but will have to face a much tougher assignment in Goldman this time around. On his best day Goldman’s off speed stuff is filthy and will keep good hitters off balance all day, the Whips will be hoping he has a good one here. I think this is the right play for the Whips, use their ace to get into a preliminary final and chance their arm with Ottey against their likely opponent Carine, who has not yet seen him. Clarke is the man for Balcatta, he is their only shot at post season success and lucky for them is ultra durable, thanks to the Cats he got a rest last week and will be looking to get out of innings quickly. Offensively I give the points to UWA, that nasty line-up is a horror show for any pitcher having to throw to it. Stillitano, Pascoe, Torpy , Major and Barrell back to back to back – yuck!. All have good contact bats, all have a good eye and all can hit for power. Balcatta are still no walk in the park either with both Russell boys, the Stephenson family, Clarke and Darracott all having good power. The thing that may hurt them against a guy like Goldman is their swing for the fence mentality.
Prediction: UWA have been in excellent form and in my opinon have the better chance to make an impact in the second week, they will win but it will be an absolute dog-fight.

PL1
Rockingham vs Curtin
Likely Match-up: B Wishart vs Swan
Last time they met: Rockingham 12 def Curtin 6
Head to Head: Rockingham 2 – Curtin 1
Last week was really a dead rubber and it showed with neither team really impressing. This week is the real dance and you can guarantee a far different game. This will be a pitching duel to say the least, the two best pitchers in the league going head to head, the issue is going to be the defense behind each pitcher. Both have a tendency to be sloppy defensively when pressured, and with a place in the grand final at stake the pressure will be higher than ever. Offensively I think it’s even Stevens, both teams hit for power and average however I give the edge to Curtin in the small ball stakes and believe they have a better situational game. This for me is where the game will be won.
Prediction: Curtin to progress, Swanny to get a week off.

Carine vs UWA
Likely Match-up: Seeds vs A Barrell
Last time they met: Carine 5 def UWA 1
Head to Head: Carine 2 UWA 0
The Whips somehow blagged their way into the four and have found themselves surprise opponents to a talented Carine team, which seems hell-bent on self destruction. The Cats seem to be two different teams, the team that shows up and destroys Balcatta 18-6 and the team that goes out to Kalamunda and can’t post a winning score. Honestly, I think that this Carine team on paper is the best team in this competition, but on they seem to have problems gelling as a team and their defense can be an absolute mess. UWA has plenty of positives, the addition of Adam Barrell late in the season has given them a real boost, with an experienced bat and reliable arm. On the hill for the Cats will be Seeds, who was a huge part of the premiership campaign last year, and the Cats will need another big effort from him here.
Prediction: Carine are too strong all over and should win comfortably.

PL2

Balcatta vs Carine
Likely Match-up: G Johnson vs Devenish
Last time they met: Balcatta 18 def Carine 7
Head to Head: Balcatta 3 – Carine 0
The old Bears have again been the dominant side all year, and have won all three encounters throughout the course of the season. The Cats line up boasts a talented lineup of young and old, but they have been owned by the Bears all year. Personally I think the experience of the Bears will be the telling factor, Carine on their day can beat any team in this competition, but they have not performed in any of the big games this season.
Prediction: Balcatta to make it 4-0 against the Cats.

Kelmscott vs UWA
Likely match-up: N Mann vs McDonough
Last time they met: Kelmscott 6 def UWA 5
Head to Head: Kelmscott 3 – UWA 0
Two of the three encounters these two have been involved in have been decided by only one run, and I expect much the same here. There are some experienced heads in both line-ups but I would give the edge to the Doggies here. The Whips only just sc***ed in on the back of their head to head record with the Rams, and have struggled for consistency throughout the year. The Whips not having participated in finals for the past few seasons is a telling factor.
Prediction: Big call but I think the Whips will turn the tables and send the dogs packing.

Morley Eagles 12 def West Stirling Indians 0 – Wednesday 6:30pm at Baseball Park

Swan Districts 10 def Wanneroo Giants 0 – Wednesday 9:00pm at Baseball Park

Vic Park/Belmont Reds vs Melville Braves – Friday 6:30pm at Baseball Park

Vic Park are coming off a strong showing against the Cubbies last Sunday and are looking to finish the season beating all 9 teams, while the Bravos need a victory here to keep their playoff aspirations alive.

Prediction: In what will be a tight game of ball, the Braves will win to set up an extremely interesting final day of the season.

South Perth Cubs vs Gosnells Hawks – Friday 9:00pm at Baseball Park

The Cubbies have been struggling in the last few weeks, losing 3 of their last 4 games, and need to play themselves into form before the playoffs.  The Hawks have lost 4 of their last 5 games in wha has been a disappointing season.

Prediction: The Cubbies to put one in the win column.

Wembley Magpies vs Perth – Saturday 3:30pm at Henderson Park

The Magpies have nothing but pride to play for now, but have to be happy with their season in comparison to last year.  Perth, on the other hand, have plenty to play for with one win this week, combined with 2 West Stirling losses will see them climb off the bottom of the ladder.

Prediction: Perth have been playing some good ball lately and should climb out of the cellar with a win.

South Perth Cubs (3rd, 22-10-2) vs Morley Eagles (1st, 27-7) – Saturday 2:00pm at Grayden Reserve

The Cubbies will be lookin to play themselves into some form in the final week, while Morley seem to be resting their big guns ahead of the playoffs.  Could be an interesting game of ball.

Prediction: Morley to end the regular season on a high note, provided it’s not their Single A guys out there.

Perth (10th, 9-25) vs Gosnells Hawks (6th, 15-19) – Sunday 12:00pm at Inglewood Oval

As stated earlier, Perth have a heap to play for this weekend, while Gosnells have little to play for, if anything, which might prove the difference between the 2 teams.

Prediction: It might be the first time I’ve done this all season, but I think Perth will win both games this weekend and avoid the wooden spoon.

Swan Districts (2nd, 25-10) vs Wembley Magpies (7th, 11-23) – Sunday 3:15pm at Charlie Hodder Field

In what is a game of very little importance, Swans will look to get through the game unscathed, while the Maggies will have pride on the line.

Prediction:  Swans, and it could get messy.

Wanneroo Giants (4th, 20-13-2) vs Vic Park/Belmont Reds (8th, 10-23-1) – Sunday 3:15pm at Mateljan Park

The Giants will be desperate for a win in this one to knock Melville out of the finals race, but the Reds have been playing some good baseball lately and will be looking to rain on Wanneroo’s parade.

Prediction: Vic Park to win and set things up for the Braves.

West Stirling Indians (9th, 9-25-1) vs Melville Braves (5th, 19-13-2) – Sunday 3:15pm at Kevan Langdon Field

The Tribe have lost 6 of their last 7, including their last 3 in a row, and will struggle against a Melville side with so much on the line.

Prediction: With so much at stake for the Braves, they should get up and snatch 4th spot.

Season Reviews for the teams failing to make the playoffs to come next week!

STATE LEAGUE

With Morley stitching up the Minor Premiership on the weekend and South Perth and the Black Ducks jockeying for home team advantage in their semi final series, the only thing to be decided in the State League competition is who will be Morley’s opponent in the other semi final. 

Wanneroo seem to be hanging onat the moment, but Melville Braves are making a late charge.  After Wanneroo swept Wembley and Melville split their double header with Swans,  Melville sit 2 games back of the Giants with 4 games to go.  With Wanneroo holding the tie-breaker, Melville will need to win out and rely on Wanneroo losing 3 games to make the playoffs.  I think that Melville might have left their run a little late this season, so expect the Roo Crew to take 4th spot.

With that all sorted, Morley will take on the Giants and the Cubbies shoud take the home team advantage into the first week of the playoffs against the Black Ducks.

AAA

With Gosnells winning the one game tie-breaker 10-3 against Wanneroo on Tuesday night, the Hawks take the 4th and final spot in the AAA playoffs, and will face the Cubbies at Forster Park this Sunday.  The Cubs have been buoyed by the return of veteran righty Simon Eissens to the pitching staff, backed up by young guns Daniel Copeland, Andrew Lange and Josh and Kane Silvi.  The Cubbies should make it through to the Preliminary Final.

Morley take on the Black Ducks in the other semi final at Crimea Park, in what should be an incredibly tight contest.  With the possibility of both Murphy brothers and Dylan Peac*** having qualified for AAA duties at Swans, the Black Ducks should get up and go straight to the Grand Final.

UNDER 19

After an extremely tight Under 19 season South Perth take on Morley, who won a 3-way tie breaker with Wanneroo and Melville to snatch 4th spot, in a sudden death semi final at Forster Park on Sunday morning.  Morley have had the wood on the young Cubs this season, winning both prevoius encounters this season.  However, South Perth have the playoff experience under their belts and should account for Morley, but only just.

In the other semi, Perth take on the Black Ducks at Kevan Langdon Field.  The impressive Perth side has lost just 1 game this season, thanks to the likes of Chris Lofthouse, Matt Dixon and Nick Stanbuy, while the young Black Ducks have surprised many this season by taking second spot.  Expect to see Perth go straight through to the Grand Final in this one.

Rockingham suffered a rather shocking loss against the Bears a few weeks back, is Rocko getting a little too comfortable at the top? Or are the Bears finally hitting their stride? The Rams have been strong all year and could just be getting bored of the regular season and ready for finals to begin, the game didnt mean all that much to the Rams, so maybe just took the week off.
However the Bears surely built off that win, their bats have been coming together the last 4 weeks, and with a big win against UWA this past weekend, they could be heating up at just the right time. Does their pitching have the depth to carry them over Carine next weekend and keep the winning streak alive?
UWA played a good game against the Bears last weekend, superman Torpy’s decision to throw against the Bears may have cost his team a home playoff game however. I’ll just go ahead and say the Bears may be for real, the Whips were simply out matched. However securing the 4th spot with a little help from the Hornets the Whips are still going into the playoffs with a bit of momentum on their side. With Goldman on the mound UWA maybe have enough pitching to get them past the defending Champs.
Carine is staying quiet but doing the job the past few weeks. With a win over the Bears this weekend they will secure the top spot in the league and home field advantage throughout. Will the legend come out of retirement and throw this weekend? Or will he crack under the pressure and hand the ball off to Hays? My guess is Hays will get the start and do the job for the Cats. He shut the Bears down last time he faced them and I expect him to do it again.

It will be an imteresting next few weeks in the PL league, sure would like to hear some other opinions on how the games will turn out. My prediction…..

Balcatta to beat UWA in a close one
Carine to beat Rockingham
Balcatta to beat Rockingham
Carine to beat the Bears in 2

1 Swan Districts 17 12 4 1 73.5
2 Morley Eagles 17 12 4 1 73.5
3 South Perth 17 10 6 1 61.8
4 Gosnells Hawks 17 8 6 3 55.9
5 Wanneroo 17 7 5 5 55.9
6 Victoria Park 17 7 7 3 50
7 West Stirling 17 7 9 1 44.1
8 Melville Braves 17 4 11 2 29.4
9 Perth 17 5 12 29.4
10 Wembley 17 4 12 1 26.5