A top of the table clash between the defending champions and the 2018 ladder leaders headlines a huge final round of the NWBL regular season. The Queensland Spinning Bullets travel to Wollongong to take on the Roller Hawks having been the big improvers in 2018, rising from a fourth placed finish last season to sit in first place, two points ahead of the Roller Hawks. A top two finish is invaluable in the NWBL finals where first plays second play on Day 1 (Friday), with the winner advancing directly to the Gold Medal game on Sunday while the loser gets a second chance the following day. The two sides met in the opening round of the season with the Roller Hawks winning 87-56. Since then the Bullets have dropped just one game against the Kilsyth Cobras who themselves will also be looking to finish in the top two. Kilsyth take on the Perth Wheelcats and will be heavily favoured to win. Should Kilsyth win as expected, they’ll be hoping for the Roller Hawks to drop at least one game against Queensland in order to leapfrog them into the top two. Two wins for the Roller Hawks will see the side finish in first place. Anything less will likely see them drop to third barring an upset between Kilsyth and Perth. In the other matchup of the round, the Red Dust Heelers take on last placed Adelaide Thunder as they look to sew up fourth place. As the race towards this year’s title heats up the Roller Hawks were recognised recently for their achievements last year by being crowned ‘Community Team of the Year’ at the 2018 NSW Community Sports Awards. The awards are handed out by the NSW Office of Sport and recognise the the valuable achievements and contributions of volunteer based sporting clubs. ROLLER HAWKS ROUND 9 FIXTURES Saturday July 7: ROLLER HAWKS vs SPINNING BULLETS - 5pm @ Shellharbour City Stadium Sunday July 8: ROLLER HAWKS vs SPINNING BULLETS - 10am @ Snakepit, Beaton Park
The Roller Hawks won based on winning the 2017 NWBL championship and doing so while displaying a fair, safe and inclusive culture.