Fire aim for free swing
The JCU Townsville Fire can have a free swing at tomorrow night’s second Grand Final, according to captain Suzy Batkovic.
The freshly crowned six-time WNBL MVP said the Fire had the luxury of playing with freedom at the Victorian State Basketball Centre after securing a 1-0 series lead.
This is what they all play for! Will @TownsvilleFire hold aloft the WNBL trophy tomorrow night or can @MelbourneBoomer force Game 3 and get their hands on it Sunday? #WNBL18 pic.twitter.com/r2WDPzaGYC
— WNBL (@WNBL) January 17, 2018
With Melbourne needing to win to force a game three at Townsville Stadium on Sunday night, the Fire can play the game safe in the knowledge that a victory will bring a title, but a loss will not end their season.
“There was nerves in that first game from both sides, now we’ve got that first one out of the way, the pressure is on them,” Batkovic said before flying to Melbourne.
“The pressure’s off us, because we get that free swing down there.”
Much has been made of the Boomers’ poor shooting night from beyond the arc, with the visitors nailing just 3/23 attempts.
The @TsvBlackhawks boys have a message for the @TownsvilleFire ahead of tomorrow's game! #FireUpTownsville #weareready pic.twitter.com/HvA9ZGVhvn
— Tsv Mendi Blackhawks (@TsvBlackhawks) January 17, 2018
The ferocity of the Fire’s defence can not be discounted, however, along with the pressure of finals basketball.
“All finals series are like that, it was a grind out game and it was such a long week waiting for it,” Batkovic said.
“There was a lot of time to think about it, whereas now we’ve got a free swing down there.
Townsville RSL will broadcast game two of the WNBL Grand Final series from 6.30pm on Thursday night which is being shown live and exclusive on Fox Sports.
Should a game three be required, tickets will go on sale to members from 9am on Friday morning through The Ticket Shop before being released to the general public on Saturday.