IT is hard to imagine a better way to kick off the weekend’s action. The Big V Championship women’s competition returns on the weekend, after a break over the Easter period. Season 2022 has enjoyed a strong start to the year, with the league producing some of the best basketball Victoria has to offer. The first four rounds of play has seen some close contests, big wins and eye-catching individual outings, and Round 5 should prove no different. With teams truly starting to heat up, the action should only get better from here.

Things begin with the most anticipated clash we have seen in 2022 to date, as the top two sides lock horns in a massive matchup. The Bulleen Boomers will travel to GESAC to take on the unbeaten McKinnon on Saturday evening, in a battle that is set to shape the standings moving forward.

McKinnon vs Bulleen
Saturday, April 23 @7pm
GESAC

The round kicks off with a bang, as the top two teams go head to head in a massive contest on Saturday night. There is plenty of excitement coming into the game, with both teams playing a brand of basketball that is extremely good to watch. The two teams have showed the ability to post a winning score with ease, and with plenty of contributors across the rosters, there is a lot to like about Saturday’s matchup.

McKinnon has been strong to start the 2022 season, with three wins and two losses from its first five outings. After a blistering start to the season, the home side has suffered a couple of losses over the last couple of weeks. Their most recent outing saw a tense six-point loss to Hume, unable to overcome the deficit they faced in the final few minutes. Facing a tough task in Round 5, expect a better showing against Bulleen. Fresh off a 19-point showing in the loss to Hume, Claire Ioaniddis will be a key figure as her side looks to break its two-game losing streak against the strongest starting side the Big V has to offer.

The Bulleen Boomers have been the benchmark to start the year, dominating their opponents on a weekly basis and getting past any hurdle they were faced with. A record of 4-0 from their first four outings has seen the Boomers as the team to beat, and they will be looking to extend their winning streak against McKinnon on Saturday. In their most recent win over Chelsea, the result was set up by a big third term, as they held their opponents to just nine points while scoring 25 themselves. If Bulleen can produce a similar burst against McKinnon, it will prove tough to stop. Look out for Olivia Bontempelli, who has been in ripping form of late and is set to impact the game once again.

Across the courts

There are three other games set to take place around Victoria on Saturday night with some intriguing matchups on the cards. Check out the fixture below.

Southern Peninsula vs Hume, 7pm, Hillview Stadium
Chelsea vs Pakenham, 7pm, Patterson River Stadium
Sunbury vs Wyndham, 8pm, Boardman Stadium