A gallant Fire fought hard against Bendigo but ultimately ended 2024 with a third loss to the ladder leaders. The hosts who were without injured guards Saffron Shiels and Lauren Mansfield found success in a sizeable starting five, essentially forced upon them. Alex Fowler marked her promotion to the tip off team with an early three, following up buckets by Lauren Cox andCourtney Woods, as Townsville turned up the heat from the get-go. Abbey Ellis and Alicia Froling then joined the New Year’s Eve party in a 14-2 run. The stunned Spirit settled and reduced the margin to 5 points by quarter time. The visitors produced an 11 point swing leading into half time but a Cox dagger halved their advantage to 3 points at the main break.
The opening of the third quarter bared resemblance to the start of the contest. The Fire began well with back-to-back baskets, one of which was a second three to Fowler. A gruelling game continued to unfold as the teams traded blows both on the scoreboard and on the court. Fatigue from playing a fourth fixture in a fortnight, and limited options on the bench, began to take its toll on the Fire though and Bendigo broke the battle open.Townsville tried to rally in the fourth period but with energy levels low,lacked the intensity to genuinely threaten a fight back. The table toppers taking a 65-76 win.
Coach’s Comments
Fire coach Shannon Seebohm believes tiredness took its toll, particularly playing against a high quality opponent.
“Not to make excuses but fatigue and injuries add up, and you know we only put 7 people in the game today, and I played the starters really heavy minutes and probably that fatigue by the end made a bit of a difference.”
But he was immensely proud of his players performance and felt a physicality which was new to him this season, made things more difficult for the undermanned hosts.
“I think the thing for my players to learn is that if the game’s being refereed that way, then we need to make adjustments as well. That was a different level of physicality I think to what we’ve seen in any game this season, and I can only liken it to, from my experience in the league, grand final. To have that much like pushing, grabbing, holding let go, which is what happens in the finals, is a really good learning.”
Seebohm’s certain his young group will be better off for the experience in particular Abbey Ellis, who despite taking some hard hits and coughing up 5 turnovers was Townsville’s MVP. Abbey has been playing unbelievable and some of the stuff she’s been doing is amazing. Learning how to play against that pressure and look after the ball is going to be great for.
Coxy’s Comments
Lauren Cox was full of praise for her pocket rocket team mate who top scored with 18 points, dished out 3 assists, scrapped 6 rebounds and snatched a pair of steals.
“Yeah Abbey’s being playing really well for us. She has really come in and embraced her role and leads this team. I know she’s just a rookie but she doesn’t play like it.”
Cox claimed a double double finishing with 15 points and 12boards but the American conceded the gas tank was running on empty.
“We’re tired but every other team is tired, so you’ve just got to push through that.”
2025 begins with a Saturday Southside showdown in Melbourne,catch the action on the 9NOW App or follow the scores via social media.
