FIRE’S DESTINY IN THEIR OWN HANDS

JCU Townsville Fire captain has implored her teammates to control their own destiny ahead of this weekÕs crucial road trip to Victoria.

With the Fire clinging to fourth spot, the two-time reigning WNBL champions face their sternest test to date when they run into Dandenong and Bendigo in successive days.

Fresh off last weekÕs agonising one-point loss to the Sydney Uni Flames, the Fire are now approaching must-win territory for the remainder of the season if they are to keep their hopes of a three-peat alive.

ÒWe know what weÕre playing for,Ó Batkovic said.

ÒWe donÕt want to finish the season early. We want to make play-offs and get a chance at having a run for the title.

ÒI donÕt want us to be in a predicament where weÕre relying on a win-loss from somebody else.

ÒFor us, itÕs about just getting the wins now and making sure we lock in that top-four spot.

ÒItÕs crunch time, this is the fun part of the season.

ÒFinals is what we play for and whatever niggles you have, just do what youÕve got to do to get ready to be on the court and get wins.Ó

While pundits have been quick to write off the Fire, their form line has been impressive since a testing start to the season and they can go a long way to securing a top-four spot with back-to-back wins against two of the other contenders.

Dandenong has won just three of their past six games, while Bendigo snapped a three-game losing streak, including a 20-point loss to the Fire, with a narrow victory over Melbourne.

Ò(Not making the finals) would be pretty devastating for us as a club,Ó Batkovic said.

ÒWeÕve been so good at getting to finals and being so successful and we have the team to do it.

ÒWeÕve just got to make sure we stay on the same page and thereÕs no lapses. I think the biggest thing for us is minimising the lapses that we have out there.Ó

The Fire face Dandenong from 5.30pm on Saturday before backing up at 2pm in Bendigo on Sunday.