Slam did buy up, just got burned by injuries, and had no depth to cover it. Pancakes probably got a touch unlucky in game 1, but really needed another player to ensure he avoided relegation.
Anyway, I'm bored again, so here's my take on the playoff series (without giving anything away on tactics etc!)
PG: Hahi bin Awang v Rob McNamara
Both ex aussie PG's, and will be looking to feed the big men all game long. Both have had a solid if unspectacular playoff series. Don't expect either to light up the scoreboard, this one will be a battle of passing and defense
Verdict: Draw
SG: Spencer Moylan v Leszek Anczykowski
After an injury scare in the semis, Leszek will take his place in the Wombat's lineup. This looms as an important battle - if Leszek can chip in with 20 points, that will take the Wombats along way towards winning the series. Moylan is a good facilitator, but not much of a scoring threat. His role will be to get the ball into the bigs, and stop Leszek on the offensive end.
Verdict: Advantage Wombats
SF: Wazza Kennerley v Birol Yalduz
Wazza has had a great playoff series thus far, while Yalduz suffered an early injury in the quarter finals, and had a quiet game in the semis. Both players have a key defensive role - if either SF can get on top, that would go a long way towards deciding the series. Wazza probably has the edge in this matchup, though their season numbers are pretty similar
Verdict: (slight) advantage Koop
PF: Cedomir Gusic v Antonio Manfrotto
This is where the series will be won and lost. Gusic is the last remaining twin tower with Radford going down, and has the potential to have a monster game. Manfrotto has had a stellar season, and has probably been the Wombat's best player. Manfrotto is probably the more natural PF, but how do you compare with 360K of wages?
Verdict: Advantage Koop
C: Mitchell Pearshouse v Shachaf Kremer
These two take a take a back seat to their more credentialed big man partners, but this is another key matchup. Kremer has been on fire during the playoffs, while Pearshouse has been quiet. Both have the potential to light up on the offensive end, while contributing solid defense and rebounding
Verdict: Draw
Benches: Goodall, Vidensky and Gafa v Rooney, Arcuato and Khan
Both teams will be hoping their bench doesn't have to do to much work, but there are players here that can do the job if need be. Goodall probably has a slight edge over Rooney, with Gafa the edge over Khan, but Arcuato has a big edge over Vidensky.
Verdict: Draw/ slight advantage Koop
Overall Verdict: Koop probably has the better team, and slightly better game shape but the Wombats peg that back somewhat with home court, and maybe a slight enthusiasm advantage. Overall, should be a cracker of a series!