Perth Redbacks NBL1 West Round 6 Preview

We are going to learn a lot about the Perth Redbacks in the NBL1 West competition this weekend with a fascinating road double coming up.

Both Redbacks teams are coming off home wins last Friday night against the East Perth Eagles, and they hope to build on that momentum this weekend.

First up for the Redbacks is a trip to Mirrabooka's Herb Graham Recreation Centre on Friday night to play ... the East Perth Eagles once again. The Women's match up begins at 6.30pm followed by the Men playing at 8.30pm.

The women’s game also happens to be the 200-game milestone for captain Jess Jakens.

Coming into the game the Redbacks Women hold a 2-1 record so far on the season while the Eagles are 2-2. Based on last Friday's clash at Belmont Oasis, this should be a terrific contest.

Going back to last Friday, the Redbacks blew the Eagles away in the opening half but East Perth fought hard in the second half to make the result much closer than the half-time score suggested it should be. In the end, Redbacks took the win 82-71.

There were plenty of players who stood up for the Redbacks in the win including Makailah Dyer with 19 points and five rebounds, Shenae Hartree 16 points, Jess Jakens 14 points and seven boards, Raya Thompson 12 points and five assists, and Maddie Allen 10 points, 18 rebounds, six assists and four blocks.

East Perth did keep fighting, though. Mary Goulding was outstanding with 23 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and five steals.

Seven days on it shapes as another interesting contest between the two teams but this time Redbacks have the added motivation of the 200-game milestone of Jakens to spur them on.

Then it's time for the Men's clash with the Redbacks fresh off recording their first win of the season against the same Eagles opponent last Friday.

That was a first win of the season for the Redbacks after early losses to the Warwick Senators and Perry Lakes Hawks while East Perth now comes into Friday's game with a 1-4 record. Their lone victory was against the Mandurah Magic back in the opening round.

Last Friday night at Belmont Oasis, the Redbacks recorded the 79-65 victory on the back of dominant first and third quarters to open their account for 2021.

There was plenty to like in the performance for coach CJ Jackson with Louis Timms putting up 22 points and seven rebounds, Zac Gattorna 20 points and 10 boards, and Tevin Jackson 17 points and nine rebounds.

East Perth competed hard, though, with 15 points apiece from Logan Thwaites and Mitch Benger.

So it should be another tantalising battle on Friday at Herb Graham Recreation Centre with the Redbacks and Eagles hunting their second wins of the season in the NBL1 West Men's Division.

That will then be followed up on Saturday night with a trip for the Redbacks to take on the Rockingham Flames at Mike Barnett Sports Complex. The Women's contest tips off at 6pm followed by the Men's game beginning at 8pm.

The Women's Flames come into the weekend with the same 2-1 record as the Women's Redbacks so this could be a good early-season test for both.

Rockingham will also be coming off having played on Friday night as well with the Flames taking on the Perry Lakes Hawks at Bendat Basketball Centre.

With a team featuring Christina Boag, Jorjah Smith, Alex Ciabattoni, Tayah Burrows and possibly soon even Darcee Garbin, the Redbacks women will need to be at their very best to knock them off.

Following the women’s game, the men will be playing for the Anthony Exeter Cup – a yearly tribute game that recognises the 300-gamer and former SBL MVP who represented both teams during a 13-year SBL career. Exeter passed away two years ago from injuries sustained in a tragic car accident. Today his wife Kelly is a Board member for the Redbacks and both his children play WABL for Redbacks. So the Redbacks men will be feeling the pressure to take game honours from a team that looks to be a genuine contender with the likes of Greg Hire, Ryan Godfrey, Travis Durnin and Justin Beard in the squad. And who will be looking to shrug off the frustration of an unlucky loss in Geraldton last Saturday night.

All in all, it shapes as a potentially defining double-header weekend for the Redbacks starting Friday away to East Perth and then on Saturday in Rockingham.

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by Chris Pike for the Perth Redbacks