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THE perfect shooting game - it's something every player dreams of - that and making the championship-winning shot - and which some of the better scorers actually approximate more regularly than not.

But experience it? The clean sweep? Every shot coming out the bottom of the net? That's still pretty rare.

It happened last round for just the sixth time since the NBL tipped-off in 1979 when Daniel Kickert registered the "perfect 10" for Melbourne against Sydney.

(There will be some who claim all 10 field goals didn't drain the bottom of the net - one of them a goal-tend gift - but that makes no difference.)

Kicks went 10-of-10 from the floor, including 3-of-3 threes, plus 3-of-3 from the free throw line for his 26-point extravaganza.

It's happened five times before and no, Andrew Gaze, Rob Rose, Leroy Loggins, Derek Rucker - they're not among the guys who did it.

It's a far more eclectic list with Mike Slusher the first in 1983, followed by Canberra's Herb McEachin in 1991, Dave Simmons (yes, Ben's papi) for Melbourne against Wollongong in 1994, Ben Melmeth for Newcastle Falcons against Wollongong in 1998 and lastly, Dave Barlow for the Tigers against New Zealand in 2007.

Some "perfect" games are better than others though and Barlow's has to rate as my No.1 choice, by some distance.

The other five players, appropriately, ALL went 10-of-10.

Barlow went even better. He hit 14-of-14, including 8-of-8 threes and 1-of-1 from the stripe for 37 points.

That. Is. Perfect.

I'm rating Kickert's at No.2 because, again, his 26 points were perfect.

Melmeth had 32 points in his haul, 10-of-10 from the floor and a super 12-of-14 from the stripe. Sadly though, 12-of-14 isn't 100%, it's 86%, which is why on a scale of perfection, Kicks has to rate a bit better.

Slusher was leading St Kilda against Adelaide in 1983 when he became the first perfect scorer, 10-of-10 for 20 points. Clean. Precise. No argument.

Simmons finished with 26 in his perfect game, 10-of-10 from the floor but just 6-of-10 from the stripe.

And Hall of Famer McEachin also went 10-of-10, with 1-of-1 triples, but missed a freebie to be 2-of-3 from the stripe in his 23 points.

I know it's splitting hairs because those were sensational performances, one and all. But when United fans look back on season 2015-16 and realise had Barlow not been injured they would have had TWO perfect scorers in their lineup, there will be time for tears. 

 

MITCH Creek (pictured) will be back for Adelaide 36ers against New Zealand Breakers after recovering from appendicitis and its resultant surgery.

The upside in the 36ers only having one game in 16 days is that since his (and the club's) previous Townsville game where Creek suited, he will have had 27 days to recover fully.

Who says the Sixers' draw sucks?

 

NBL RANKINGS This Wk-Prev (Record)

8 (8) KINGS 5-15 - Catch Illawarra at home and vulnerable so could start a streak.

7 (7) TAIPANS 7-11 - One step forward one step back, they stick together cause opposites attract.

6 (6) CROCODILES 7-13 - Golden opportunity to wreak havoc on tiring Taipans.

5 (5) 36ERS 9-9 - Has the break made them rusty or ready? That's a tough coaching call.

4 (4) UNITED 13-7 - This is the week to make a genuine statement after a lot of stuttering.

3 (2) BREAKERS 11-7 - Even without Abers, were disappointing in Cairns but odds in their favour.

2 (3) WILDCATS 13-7 - Had a chance to regroup and must win in Cairns to hold top spot.

1 (1) HAWKS 11-7 - Chugging along nicely but this double road trip is a real challenge.

 

WNBL RANKINGS This Wk-Prev (Record)

9 (9) CAPITALS 0-16 - Catch Perth on its second leg but must do everything right.

8 (8) LIGHTNING 5-10 - Did they catch Dandenong off guard last time? Now we'll know.

7 (7) BOOMERS 7-10 - They're starting to talk "mathematical chances", which isn't good.

6 (6) STARS 8-8 - Looking for overseas help at this stage suggests some floundering.

5 (5) SPIRIT 10-7 - This is the win that falls into "must" category to stay on finals track.

4 (4) RANGERS 10-6 - Tough double with revenge in Adelaide, then Sydney at Stud Rd.

3 (3) FLAMES 11-5 - Hosting Perth in a massive game and have the tools to win.

2 (1) LYNX 11-5 - Twin road wins would make double-chance a distinct possibility.

1 (2) FIRE 11-5 - Back at the summit but staying there won't be easy against stacked deck.

 

THIS WEEK'S TIPS

NO-ONE can remember the last time first-placed Perth lost three games in a row and with Cairns coming home off a road loss to Sydney, it's hard to envisage it now, even though the Wildcats are experiencing a letdown. This is one of those instances where a little break to regroup and re-energise might have been just what the Fremantle Doctor ordered for Perth, though an upset cannot be ruled out whenever the Taipans have time to plan a winning strategy, e.g. against NZ.

HAS Melbourne really found its mojo or has United just had one very good game against a lagging Perth? Yes, it also has beaten Sydney on the road but then for a team chasing the title, seriously, it should have taken out the last-placed team. Illawarra will be the acid test on any United resurgence, the Hawks currently the form team and with foils for Melbourne in every position. I'm tipping the Hawks unless Lisch and Penney inspire Chris Goulding to play "unconcious".

DANIEL JOHNSON ... Ready to play

FOR its second game in 27 days, Adelaide will really be under the pump in New Zealand. The 36ers played Melbourne 16 days ago and Townsville 11 days before that. How Joey Wright can keep his charges focused and on task will be a huge and unenviable challenge. Then again, of course, they might also be chomping at the bit to hit the hardwood again while the Breakers will be no less keen to erase their road loss in Cairns. Sixers in an upset?

SHAUN BRUCE ... Starred last round.

CAIRNS has to put the sponsor signs out again 48 hours after hosting Perth, to accommodate visiting Townsville, with the Crocodiles fired up for this Reptile Rumble. Both teams come in off losses, Cairns to Sydney, Townsville to Illawarra, and will be anxious to prove they still have relevance in the 2015-16 finish. A loss here ends any even remote playoff dream for the Crocs, adding to their desperation and with just this match to prepare for all week, Townsville can pinch it.

DAMNED if those local derbies don't throw up their share of surprises so don't be too stunned when Sydney comes out all guns blazing at its intimate new venue against Illawarra. The Kings want to avoid a season-sweep and catch the Hawks at a perfect time, when - if they have beaten Melbourne in Melbourne - they will be vulnerable to a letdown. That's all Josh Childress, Jason Cadee and Tom Garlepp need to orchestrate the upset. That recognised, Illawarra obviously must start favourite.

LOUELLA TOMLINSON ... Big Perth asset. Picture: TREVOR KINROSS

PERTH at Sydney is a terrific match to open the WNBL round with both teams tied in first place on 11-5 win-loss ratios and a TV deal imminent. Oops. Sorry. How'd that get in there? The Lynx have been the surprise of the season and have shown they can win away from The Discotheque. Sami Whitcomb is in MVP chatter and a road win here, with two-thirds of the season gone, would open the door toward a playoffs double chance. Expect Perth to kick open that door.

LEILANI MITCHELL ... Adelaide's in-form superstar. Picture: TREVOR KINROSS

DANDENONG swaggered into Adelaide not that long ago, had itself a match-winning lead, and ended up leaving town with an extra digit in the "L" column. Sara Blicavs was killing it but fouled out and a turnover bonanza led to Leilani Mitchell (29 points, 7 assists last week) taking it to the hoop for the match-winning bucket. Do you reckon that's going to hurt the Rangers in the run to the finals? So how much would another loss in Adelaide sting? Too much for Dandenong to make the same mistake twice.

BENDIGO can put a genuine end to Melbourne's distant playoff hopes with a win at home, while shoring up its own post-season aspirations in a very important fixture. Here's the thing though - they've met twice already and the Boomers won both AND were down Tess Madgen on both occasions. The obvious question becomes, do they have Bendigo's number? The odds say yes and another road win would keep Melbourne's playoff dream on life support.

SEQ expects to have WNBA star Jacinta Monroe in uniform for Ify Ibekwe (compassionate leave) against Townsville and her athletic 196cm presence, alongside a raft of top Aussie talent and the very talented Jordan Hooper, would make this a very tough derby for Townsville. I still cannot believe Basketball Australia signed off on allowing this because it strikes me as completely unfair and outside the rules but what would I know? Maybe Shane Heal called in the "hey come on mate, we used to play NBL once" card on Paul Maley. Whatever, it adds spice to an already hot rivalry.

SITTING and waiting for Dandenong gives Sydney a definite advantage when they square up for the second time, the Rangers 1-0 up and with that 20-point win tucked away. The series still is up for grabs though and a Flames win, with a potential decider in Sydney in a month's time makes this fixture another key one in the finals run. If Dandenong can get this, it will be a huge step but the odds are definitely against it.

IMAGINE if Canberra went 1-16 and Perth was the "one" in 1-and-16? The last-placed team beating the equal first-placed team. The "can't close out a win Caps" flying over the limping Lynx. What a story that would be. Unfortunately, it's not one anyone is expecting to be writing, sadly, as this once mighty franchise falls on hard times, while Perth soars, rebranded, re-imagined and really good.

 

KNOCK KNOCK

Who's there?

Howard

Howard who?

How would I know what the WNBL eligibility rules are? Ask Paul Maley