Basketball On The Internet.

IT WAS all largely quiet on the WNBL front this week past, cyclones notwithstanding, but Brad Rosen and I talked Opals and Paris Olympic qualification before we reviewed Round 17 of NBL action and looked forward to what the rest of the season promises.

Steph Talbot's successful return for Adelaide Lightning after a year out with an ACL tear was high on the agenda, Brad also extolling the virtues of the Sydney Flames - did someone say "Sydney"? - and the Flames' steady rise.

Who will win their series with Southside, which now stands at 1-1? But looking further, how sure are we our Opals will qualify for Paris?

They're off next week to Brazil where they will face the host nation, Germany and Serbia and need to finish the group in the top three to qualify for Paris.

Brazil will be anything by smooth sailing and Serbia has been something of an international nemesis of late.

So that leaves Germany - the same nation which derailed our Boomers at last year's FIBA men's World Cup - as the absolute "must win' contest.

Beating two of the opponents would make stamping the ticket to Paris a virtual certainty but the three games are scheduled within four days which may prove challenging for our older contingent.

What an NBL round that was, first with South East Melbourne running the Kings through with a lance comprised of kids and hopefuls, then Illawarra taking down Perth in Perth.

Is Brisbane legit or are Illawarra the sleepers? For that matter, who would want to face New Zealand in a final if the Breakers can get a roll going?

Brad has a Rosen Rattler and prises a Nagy Nasty out of me too, along with a few moments of the round and a very obvious NBL Player of the Round.

Let's just say his name rhymes with Ditch Tweak.

Oh yeah, there is more material like that awaiting you now by simply clicking this link, or you can go to Apple Podcasts if you want to be a little more classy.

And look out, because next week we have a guest lined up!