August 14: St Laurence Geelong Supercats 107 (I. Muhammad 30, N. Owusu 15, J. Reardon 13, N. Herbert 13) defeated Hobart Chargers 78 (M. Nash 26, M. Banovic 12, R. Inches 11) at Aurora Stadium, Hobart.

The St Laurence Geelong Supercats have won the Preliminary final producing a stunning demolition of the Hobart Chargers in Hobart on Friday night. The win erased the disappointment of losing last year’s home preliminary final against the Chargers and earns the Supercats the right to take on Frankston in next weekend’s Crazy John’s SEABL South Conference Grand Final at Frankston. 

The game started at a slow pace with neither side able to get a run on. At four and a half minutes Coach Mark Leader substituted Nathan Herbert into the game for his first action against Hobart this year. This had immediate effect as Herbert landed three 3 pointers in quick succession and 11 for the first term. Geelong built their lead to five before Chargers import Chuck Long got his side back to even. Geelong went to the first break with a narrow lead 26 to 25.

Isma’il Muhammad found his range early in the second quarter with a string of baskets. Nick Owusu also started to score a few from range as foul trouble began to hurt Hobart’s rotations off the bench. Geelong steadily built a handy lead during the term and Muhammad’s 13 points for the quarter saw Geelong comfortably ahead by that margin at the half.

A 16 to 3 run by the Supercats to open the second half with Muhammad, Owusu, Herbert and Jason Reardon all contributing spelt the end of the season for the home side as the frustrated Chargers stars continued to rack up fouls. Mark Nash tried to rally Hobart who got the margin back to 17 by three quarter time 77 to 60.

By the start of the last quarter, Long had racked up 5 fouls and playing coach Anthony Stewart 4. Early in the last however, both players earned their sixth and took no further part. With little resistance, the Supercats powered away to build the lead up to 29 at the end of the match. Following a 30 to 18 last term the Supercats comprehensively defeated the Chargers 107 to 29.

The win erases Geelong’s loss to the Chargers in the corresponding game last year when the Supercats were humiliated at home.

Muhammad top scored for Geelong with 30 while Owusu had 15 and Herbert and Reardon each finished with 13. Nash was the best for the home side with 26.

The Supercats will travel to Frankston for the grand final next weekend.

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