Fire poised for crucial weekend
The JCU Townsville Fire have readied themselves for a crucial weekend ahead of the Christmas break.
Sitting outside the top-four, the Fire can make serious inroads against their title contenders with a pair of victories against Bendigo and the UC Capitals.
The @JCU Townsville Fire square off against the UC Capitals for the first time in 2018/19 this Sunday! Pre-purchase your tickets to our Christmas blockbuster via —> https://t.co/tCCkqcoTXW #FireUpTownsville pic.twitter.com/rMesCqZEhs
— Townsville Fire (@TownsvilleFire) December 18, 2018
Having departed to Bendigo on Thursday, the Fire will then host the Caps on Sunday afternoon at Townsville Stadium.
An anomaly of the draw means this is the first time the Fire and the Caps have seen each other in 2018/19 before a return bout in Canberra on December 28.
While Fire captain Suzy Batkovic has been ruled out of Friday night’s fixture, there remains hope they she may recover in time for Sunday’s home game.
Despite the uncertainty hovering over the six-time MVP, Fire coach Claudia Brassard was upbeat by last week’s 25-point win and believes her side may have found their identity during Batkovic’s absence by being more aggressive.
It’s something we’ve been working on pretty much since day dot,” Brassard said.
“Normally Perth are a lot more disruptive and they’re denying in lanes, but we didn’t turn the ball over and that was a huge factor in the game.
“I think that was the first game where we were actually on the positive side of the turnover count where points from turnovers weren’t benefiting the other team and you end up with a big result.”
The Fire are hoping for a large crowd on Sunday with the Christmas fixture traditionally being a strong drawing game.
The Fire host the Capitals from 3pm on Sunday.
Click here to pre-purchase tickets to the Fire and the Caps.