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SYDNEY his now suited up its "Big Three" - MVP Cayla George, championship-winner Lauren Nicholson and Opals' World Cup captain Tess Madgen - yet continues to slump in our weekly WNBL rankings, a week off from action likely to help the Flames find the fire.

So far Guy Molloy's crew has not found any consistent rhythm but a week's break from live action should help after last week they lost to a previously winless Bendigo which entered the game without its marquee star Kelsey Griffin.

Recruiting the "Big 3" was a coup, George the reigning league MVP, Nicholson returning to Sydney off a championship with Townsville last season, and Madgen our national captain on last year's Bronze Medallist World Cup team. 

Having a bye could not be more timely.

Our rankings this week also saw undefeated Melbourne fall from the top spot it has occupied all season after the Boomers only managed a narrow escape against last-placed Canberra, and needed overtime to do it.

That was after just barely escaping the clutches of (then) second-last-placed Bendigo the previous round.

Melbourne really needs to make a statement against Perth, the Lynx's aspirations taking a major welt last round from our new #1 ranked team Townsville, which also sent Adelaide's hopes into a spin on the same trip.

The Lightning are now away to Townsville, which doesn't augur well, then home to burgeoning Bendigo in what could be a season-defining round.

ROUND 5 TIPS

Townsville beat Adelaide on the road so should win tidily at home.

Canberra is so very close but that will not be good enough against Flyers.

Could Lightning lose twice this round? Bendigo is on the march and capable.

Perth must perform but Melbourne persists and finds ways to win.  

WNBL RANKINGS – WEEK 4
This          Last
Week       Week   Club
  1               3        Townsville (4-1) Perfect road result and now Lightning at home. Rolling.
  2               1        Melbourne (5-0) Need a fast start and a statement win over Perth.
  3               5        Southside (3-2) Got out of jail last round but should cap Canberra.
  4               2        Perth (3-2) Back to Earth with a thud and Boomers will take no prisoners.
  5               7        Bendigo (1-4) As suspected, better than advertised and can take Lightning.
  6               4        Adelaide (2-3) A 0-2 round would be a disaster. Must manage Spirit.
  7               6        Sydney (2-3) Can use the bye to restart a flagging campaign.
  8               8        Canberra (0-5) Playing great without the W, but more of the same coming.