Fire to sweat on Batkovic’s fitness

The JCU Townsville Fire are refusing to rule out Suzy Batkovic ahead of this week’s home game against Adelaide.

An ongoing neck injury forced Batkovic to sit out the majority of Saturday’s Grand Final replay against Melbourne, with the superstar centre losing power in her left-arm as a result of nerve issues.

There remain fears that she may be unable to play against the Lightning this week, but head coach Claudia Brassard confirmed this morning that the Fire would give her until game time to prove her fitness.

“She’s probably going to have an injection today to try and resolve that,” Brassard said.

“We will give her every chance (to play) – we know she can play through the pain – so the pain’s not the issue it’s more the power.

“If she can get the power back, she’ll suit up.”

When the Fire last met the Lightning in Adelaide, Batkovic was under the same injury cloud before shrugging off the injury in a herculean performance.

The six-time league MVP was simply brilliant en route to 26 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists as the Fire secured a 79-77 victory.

With both teams boasting 5-6 records, the race to the top-four adds an extra dimension to the encounter, with the Fire desperate to return to the winners’ circle.

The Fire host the Lightning at Townsville Stadium from 7pm on Friday.

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