ABL Week 8 Wrap

James Lane

The calendar flipped to a new year, and with it the final stretch of the ABL season came into view. Sydney remain on top, Adelaide proved they can bloody the league leaders, while Perth quietly assembled a series win that reshaped the chasing pack.

Giants Stand Tall

Sydney arrived in Adelaide knowing a strong week could all but lock up a postseason berth. Instead, the Giants made them earn every inch.

New Year’s Day set the tone. After a scoreless opening stretch, Adelaide struck first in the third inning and then blew the game open with five runs in the seventh, handing the Sox a 9–3 loss. Sydney’s late three-run ninth came with the result already decided.

Friday saw the Sox respond, but only just. Adelaide jumped out to a 2–0 first-inning lead, before Sydney clawed back to take a 3–2 advantage by the fourth and eventually secure a 4–3 win.

Saturday delivered Adelaide’s most impressive performance of the series. Despite Sydney racing to a 5–1 lead by the third, the Giants flipped the game completely with three runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth, surging ahead 6–5 and closing out a 7–5 win.

Sunday was about survival for the Sox. After five scoreless innings, Sydney finally broke through with three in the fifth, absorbed an Adelaide push in the seventh, and then shut the door emphatically with four late runs to win 7–2 and salvage a split.

Perth Start to Heat Up

While Sydney and Adelaide traded blows, Perth took full advantage at home.

Thursday’s opener was all about timing. The Heat plated all three of their runs in the fourth inning, holding Brisbane at bay for a 3–2 win.

Friday followed the same pattern: disciplined pitching and incremental scoring, with Perth taking a 3–0 shutout thanks to runs in the third, fourth and sixth.

Saturday finally saw Brisbane break through. Back-to-back three-run innings gave the Bandits a commanding early lead in a 6–2 win, but it proved to be the exception.

Sunday’s finale was the series in miniature. Perth struck early, Brisbane responded, and when the game tightened in the middle innings, the Heat delivered the decisive blow — a three-run seventh that secured a 7–5 victory and a 3–1 series win.

That result pushed Perth level with Adelaide and above Brisbane, a meaningful shift in a season defined by razor-thin margins.

Looking Ahead

After Round 8, the standings read:

• Blue Sox: 20-11

• Giants: 14-16

• Heat: 14-16

• Bandits: 13-18

Sydney still lead, Adelaide and Perth are level, and Brisbane suddenly find themselves on the outside looking in.