THREE teams remain undefeated heading into Round 3 of the Women’s NBL and will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the table. On the other end of the scale both Townsville Fire and Sydney Uni Flames have failed to register a win so far and will hoping to edge their way off the bottom of the ladder.

MELBOURNE BOOMERS v. UC CAPITALS
Friday, October 25
7:30pm

Both sides will be riding high heading into the match-up with an unblemished record. The reigning premiers have three wins on the trot while the Boomers have notched up two wins from their two games making for a high intensity battle on Friday night. The Capitals welcomed back co-captain Mariana Tolo last week and with another game under her belt will be hoping to have an even bigger impact to keep her sides undefeated start to the season rolling. Other key players such as Kia Nurse, Kelsey Griffin and Keely Froling will be hoping to flex their muscles given their scoring prowess for the Capitals. If they can unleash early it will go a long way in setting up another possible win. But the Boomers will be wanting to maintain top spot on the ladder with Cayla George and Ezi Magbegor influential across the boards. George is their leading points scorer with 36 for the season so far while Lindsay Allen is no stranger to the scoreboard either amassing 12 points last week in the win.

SOUTHSIDE FLYERS v. BENDIGO SPIRIT
Saturday, October 26
5:00pm

The Southside Flyers are the other side in the competition to have not dropped a game so far this season and will be wanting to keep that momentum going. Bendigo secured their first win of the season last week against the Perth Lynx and will be seeking to keep that streak running. The Flyers have a host of key players that could cause havoc for the Spirit with Jenna O’Hea the most impactful of the lot already boasting a tally of 60 points for the season. Leilani Mitchell has proved to be a handy inclusion in the side making her presence felt both on the on scoreboard and off it racking up 10 assists, six rebounds and 14 points last week. Mercedes Russell has not skipped a beat so far this season while the likes of Sara Blicavs and Louella Tomlinson are pivotal to the Flyers line-up. The Spirit have their fair share of game changers such as Marte Grays, Carley Ernst and Tessa Lavey but must get on top early if they are any chance to stop the Flyers.

PERTH LYNX v. ADELAIDE LIGHTNING
Saturday, October 26
6:30pm

Perth and Adelaide have both had a relatively inconsistent start to the season and will be aiming to get some structure and momentum into their gameplay this round. Perth are coming off a loss while Adelaide prevailed by 20 points last match and will be drawing on that confidence heading into the clash. The Lightning currently sit in fourth spot while Lynx are hot on their tail in fifth making for exciting battle. The likes of Lauren Nicholson and Stephanie Talbot lead the way for the Lightning with their on-court presence and ability to go to post. Crystal Langhorne has proved to be a deadeye with ball in hand making no mistake sitting at 80 per cent from field goals and 100 per cent from three-point range. Lynx are led by scoring machine Alison Schwagmeyer with the ball all but guaranteed to go through the hoop when she has ball in hand amassing a whopping 65 points so far this season. Imani McGee-Stafford and Nadeen Payne have proved to be a dynamic duo with the two not afraid to back themselves and hit the scoreboard.

SYDNEY UNI FLAMES v. UC CAPITALS
Sunday, October 27
2:00pm

In their second game for the round, the UC Capitals will need to make the most of their opportunities despite playing the bottom of the ladder Sydney Uni Flames. With a short turn around expect the Capitals to hustle hard and look to their big game players to stand up under the pressure. Meanwhile the Flames will be hoping to capitalise on their oppositions weakness and exploit them with speed and fast breaks to catch them off guard. French import and Capitals star, Olivia Epoupa had a stand out game last week and will be looking to replicate her efforts again this week with seven steals, eight rebounds, four assists and 13 points. Teammates, Froling, Griffin, Nurse and Tolo will also be hoping to keep their winning ways afloat. Flames duo Colleen Planeta and Alice Kunek have had a profound impact for their side so far this season given their points scoring ability and general game sense with 55 and 48 respectively for the year. Jessica Kuster is another handy player notching up a double-double last round despite the loss with 10 rebounds and 16 points. Tahlia Tupaea cannot be underestimated with her ability to hit the scoreboard and cleverly crafted passes.

TOWNSVILLE FIRE v. MELBOURNE BOOMERS
Sunday, October 27
4:00pm

First meet seventh in what is shaping up to be an interesting contest between the Boomers and Townsville Fire. The Boomers will be heading into their second game of the round and while they currently sit undefeated have only played Bendigo Spirit before this round. This could be the time for the Fire to strike having pushed sides but fading away in previous encounters. Townsville have a number of important players that can wreak havoc if let off the hook early with Darcee Garbin, Abby Bishop and Tess Madgen able to use their experience to hurt the Boomers. Youngster Bridget Carleton will be hoping to continue her hot start to the season while Christina Boag is yet to miss a shot sitting at 100 per cent from field goals. Melbourne will be wanting to maintain their composure and not get frazzled by the Fire pressure. Expect Sophie Cunningham to play a major role for the Boomers having already locked away 29 points while Monique Conti has shown she can have an impact when brought on.