NWThunder will be eager to bounce back to form in front of their home fans

NORTH-WEST THUNDER GAME PREVIEW
Story by Brad Cole  NW Thunder Media

The North-West Thunder will be eager to bounce back to form in front of their home fans when they host the Melbourne Tigers in Saturday night’s NBL1 South game at the Mazda BT-50 Stadium.

After three promising quarters against league heavyweights Frankston last week, the Thunder were disappointing in the final 10 minutes, going down 101-76 and seeing their record drop to three wins and five losses.

Sekou Sylla continued his good scoring form, leading the team with 26 points, including 20 at half-time, with Seth Swalve adding 15 points and Isaac Atuer providing some great spark off the bench with 12 points. 

The Thunder get the chance to atone against the Tigers in front of their fantastic home fans for the final time ahead of five consecutive road games against an opponent just one spot ahead of them on the ladder in 13th place.

Like the hosts, the visitors are also coming off a last-start defeat, falling 85-71 to Sandringham. But they bring a talented side to Tasmania that contains plenty of famous basketball names that have worn the Tigers singlet during their NBL days.

Austin Bradtke (Mark) and Jack Purchase (Nigel) will both suit up for Melbourne, along with Mason Gaze, whose father Andrew is Australian hoops royalty and will be calling the shots as coach from the sideline.

But leading the charge so far this season for the Tigers is guard Tom Wilson, who has returned to basketball after five seasons with AFL club Collingwood and starred last weekend with 26 points, 15 rebounds and three assists against the Sabres. 

For the home side, coach Sam Armstrong will be looking for a more consistent performance from his players across the four quarters in what shapes as a must-win game if his team are to stay withing striking distance of the top eight.

Tip-off at the Mazda BT-50 Stadium is at 7.00pm, with tickets available by clicking here.

For those who can’t get to the game, log in to the NBL1 website or app and watch the live stream.

LEADING PLAYERS

Points – Thunder: Sekou Sylla 22.2ppg, Seth Swalve 14.2ppg, Tre Armstrong 12.57ppg. Tigers: Tom Wilson 18.2ppg, Jack Purchase 15.1ppg, Mason Gaze 14.5ppg.

Rebounds – Thunder: Sekou Sylla 13.8rpg, Paul Campbell 5.5rpg, Archie Woodhill 4.8rpg. Tigers: Tom Wilson 6.6rpg, Callum Barker 6.2rpg, Jack Purchase 5.1rpg.

Assists – Thunder: Seth Swalve 5.1apg, Sekou Sylla 2.2apg, Tre Armstrong 2.1apg. Tigers: Tom Wilson 4.6apg, Jack Purchase 4apg, Mason Gaze 2.4.

LAST THREE MEETINGS

2023 – Thunder v Tigers 64-89, 2022 – Tigers v Thunder 69-76, 2021 – Tigers v Thunder 96-100