The Sydney Uni Flames must beat West Coast at home on Friday night in their bid for some post-season action. It’s do-or-die for the Bendigo Spirit when they host the Logan Thunder on Friday night, who have two games at the weekend and must win both. They also play the Bulleen Boomers Saturday at the Veneto Club, in the toughest draw for the round.

The Dandenong Rangers have third spot at the moment and can keep it if they win this week. But they travel to Adelaide and meet the minor premiers in the Lightning. And finally, the Townsville Fire must beat the Canberra Capitals at home on Saturday night to keep their finals hopes alive. All will be decided this week.

Sydney Uni. Flames vs West Coast Waves, Friday, 17 February, 2012, 7.00pm, SUSAC

The first of the critical match-ups sees the Sydney Uni. Flames host the West Coast Waves, who are still searching for their third win. Although their fate has been decided, they can still help to decide who finishes in the top five, by putting the Flames almost certainly out of contention.

The Flames need to win to have a chance of playing finals basketball. They had perhaps the strongest start this season across the League, but endured a topsy-turvy second half. But they remain a danger outfit. A win would give them a record of 13-9, which, coming out of round 18, could be enough.

Last time they met, way back in round 2, it was the Flames, behind Amy Denson (15 points) and Belinda Snell (12 points) who won 71-55 in WA. 

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Bendigo Spirit vs Logan Thunder, Friday, 17 February, 2012, 7:30pm, Bendigo Stadium

One of the more important games in terms of finals placings in Round 18 sees the Bendigo Spirit and Logan Thunder match-up on Friday night in Bendigo.

The Thunder must win two games on the road this weekend to assure themselves of finals action. But both games are against top-ranked teams, and with the Spirit desperate to keep any glimmer of hope alive of a finals berth, they too must win this contest to finish the season with a 12-10 record.

Although 12-10 may not be enough, a loss will definitely be enough to put the final nail in the coffin on their season, so it’s win or bust for the Spirit.

These two sides haven’t met since Round 1, which Logan won narrowly 61-56. Cayla Francis was dominant in that clash, finishing with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Chelsea Aubry (16 points) and Tess Madgen (12 points) were both solid for the Spirit.

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Adelaide Lightning vs Dandenong Rangers, Saturday, 18 February, 2012, 1.00pm AEDT (12:30pm local time), Adelaide Arena 

ABC TV GAME OF THE WEEK – broadcast LIVE on ABC1 on Saturday, 18 February from 1.00pm AEDT.

Currently sitting in third place, the Dandenong Rangers are looking to hang on to that spot. To do that, they need to win this week. The only catch is, they’re playing the minor premiers, the Adelaide Lightning on the road.

Although a loss won’t take a first-place finish out of the hands of the Lightning, the Rangers are unlikely to have it easy against the side many view as the championship favourite.

They have met twice already this season, with Adelaide taking the first game by two points in Adelaide, 78-76 in Round 6, before Dandenong delivered Adelaide their biggest loss of the season in Round 14, winning that contest 81-61 at home.

Suzy Batkovic returns for Adelaide, re-joining their formidable line-up of Abby Bishop, Jo Hill, Jenny Screen and company.

The likes of Kath MacLeod, Jenna O’Hea and Steph Cumming will have to stand up for the Rangers against a side that will be tough to beat this close to finals.

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Bulleen Boomers vs Logan Thunder, Saturday 18 February, 2012, 7:30pm, Veneto Club

WNBL Radio will be broadcasting LIVE Saturday, 18 February from 7.15pm AEDT. Log on to wnbl.com.au to tune in.

The importance of the clash between the Bulleen Boomers and Logan Thunder will depend somewhat on how things transpire on Friday night for Logan.

If they beat the Spirit in Bendigo, they will smell a finals finish and this game will mean their entire season. If they don’t, a win here may not be enough.

They face a Boomers team who can’t move up or down on the ladder. Will that be a factor in what kind of intensity they can expect from the reigning champions? That’s unlikely, as wins going into finals campaigns can mean a great deal.

They met only two weeks ago in Round 16, and it was the Boomers who snatched a close, three-point win in Logan, 83-80, behind an unstoppable performance by Liz Cambage who finished with 34 points and 14 rebounds in just 31 minutes of floor time. Rachel Jarry was also impressive in that game, dropping 18 points for the contest.

Can the likes of Cayla Francis, Kristen Veal, Sarah Graham and Renae Camino shut down the Boomers' big-guns and ignite the side to a pair of dramatic victories?

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Townsvile Fire vs Canberra Capitals, Saturday 18 February, 2012, 7:30pm AEST, Townsville RSL Stadium

Finally, the Canberra Capitals head north to play the Townsville Fire, who, like their rivals milling around the fourth and fifth spot on the ladder, must win to give themselves their best chance. If they beat the Capitals, and Logan lose either of their match-ups, they could find themselves in a knock-out final next Wednesday night.

The Fire have had a great season, but all the hard work comes down to this very weekend. Many believe they deserve to play finals, but only a win this week will make it so.

Point guard Rachael Flanagan will be running the show, and Shanavia Dowdell, Jess Foley and Micaela Cocks will all be looking to put together a winning scoreline.

The two sides have met twice before this season, in back-to-back rounds in Round 2 and Round 3. The Fire were victorious in both encounters, winning the first on the road 72-60, before delivering a 74-63 defeat to the Caps at home. They must make it three straight against Canberra, or risk missing out on a post-season appearance.

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