Sports Betting, Sports News, Sports Updates, Australia

Where and When: Wednesday 18 February, Challenge Stadium, 6.30pm (AWDT)

Past Three Head-to-Head
Perth Wildcats 97-76 Townsville Crocodiles, Round 15 2008.
Perth Wildcats 115-78 Townsville Crocodiles, Round 8 2008.
Townsville Crocodiles 93-107 Perth Wildcats, Round 5 2008.

Season Series
Wildcats 3-1

Final Standings
Wildcats 17-13 (fourth), Crocs 17-13 (fifth)

Perth will enter this cut-throat final full of confidence given that they have defeated the Townsville Crocodiles three times this season and have not lost to the Crocodiles at Challenge Stadium since September 18, 2005.

Instrumental in the win over the Melbourne Tigers which allowed the Wildcats to clinch fourth spot and an all-important home final was forward Shawn Redhage who finished with a game-high 28 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

In Townsville’s win over Perth in round three Cameron Tovey scored 15 points and restricted Redhage to just 14.

The Crocodiles will need Tovey to be switched on defensively from the outset because once Redhage gets into a groove he is very hard to stop.

It is vital that Tovey prevents Redhage from attacking the basket and getting to the foul line where he is incredibly efficient – in the win over the Tigers Redhage knocked down all eight of his free-throw attempts.

Perth import Isiah Victor also played a major role in the win over Melbourne – he finished the match with 22 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

When Victor fires the Cats invariably go on to win so stopping him will be a key for the Crocodiles.

The former Sydney King is damaging inside the paint and can also knock down the three-ball.

Rosell Ellis has the height and athleticism to match Victor and looms as the obvious candidate to go head-to-head with the Perth big man in what shapes as being a crucial match-up in determining the outcome of this match.

Rusell Hinder, Ellis and Tovey will need to keep the likes of Alex Loughton, Redhage and Victor off the glass otherwise the Cats will be able to dictate the tempo of the game and get easy second chance points inside the paint.

For Townsville, star guard Corey Williams has struggled against Perth this season, averaging 11 points, two assists and six turnovers in the four games between these two sides this season.

Williams will undoubtedly be fired up and will be keen to put in a big performance on Wednesday night.

Perth point guard Darnell Hinson will go head-to-head with Williams in what shapes as being yet another key match-up.

Hinson will need to apply immense defensive pressure and deny Williams the time and space to create.

Expect Hinson to be aggressive at the offensive end early and try and get Williams into foul trouble.

The last time these two sides met in round 15 the Crocodiles struggled from three-point land, connecting on just 3-of-29 attempts from beyond the arc.

The likes of Brad Williamson, Michael Cedar and John Rillie will need to knock down their shots early from three-point range if the Crocodiles are going to be any chance of recording a rare win at Challenge Stadium.

Rillie in particular has been in devastating form, scoring 28 and 26 points in Townsville’s last two wins.

The 37-year-old faces a tough night at the office with underrated guard Peter Crawford to be his likely opponent.

Crawford will be in Rillie’s face all night and not give him any time or space in which to knock down the three-ball.

Townsville with enter this clash in good form – they have won seven of their past nine matches – but the Wildcats are virtually unbeatable at home and should prevail in a physical clash with their more potent front court set to be the difference.

With so much at stake you wouldn’t expect this contest to be a blow-out, so with this in mind my money is on a Wildcats’ win by 1-10, offering $2.85.