By Lachlan Mitchell
The Casey Cavaliers have made an emphatic statement in its inaugural season of NBL1.
The women’s Cavaliers side has shown its strength in the competition, currently sitting sixth on the ladder with six wins and four losses in their opening 10 games.
The side had a successful back-to-back stint in Tasmania prior to the Queen’s Birthday bye weekend.
A Saturday and Sunday fixture in the Apple Isle saw them have a 73-55 point win over the Hobart Chargers and a 85-71 win over the Launceston Tornadoes.
The women have been boosted this season by former South-Side Flyer and current AFLW player Monique Conti.
The guard is averaging 18 points per game with 39 per cent from the field.
The side has been affected by constant injuries and Covid health and safety protocols this season.
The disruptions have meant the Cavs haven’t been able to field their best side on court.
A younger member of the squad, Kyra Webb, didn’t make the trip down to Tasmania.
Webb has been a defensive weapon for the Cavaliers averaging four rebounds a game.
The men have found their introduction into NBL1 a little more treacherous.
The Casey men have slumped to 3-7 at the midway point of the season.
A final moment buzzer-beater and a number of fourth quarter fade outs have led to the disappointing start.
The Tasmanian trip wasn’t as fruitful for the men as they fell agonisingly three-points short of the Chargers.
The Cavaliers managed to keep within touching distance of the Chargers all game but a final three from AJ Harris sunk Casey with 32 seconds left on the clock.
The chips fell the Chargers way in the 82-79 final scoreline.
The men have also had moments of glory, and had opportunities in crucial parts of games but fallen short.
The next month sets up to be crucial for both sides.
A Casey Stadium showpiece with the Sandringham Sabres could provide to be key that gets both sides rolling into a finals place.
And a double-header on Saturday 16 July against Ringwood Hawks looks to be the ultimate test for both sides.
Casey will be hoping to stir the pot against the Hawks who currently sit second overall.
The Sabres are the next mission on the agenda for both sides on Saturday 18 June at Casey Stadium.
