Garbin backs Fire to defend their crown
Two-time JCU Townsville Fire championship winner Darcee Garbin has used the Chemist Warehouse WNBL season launch to declare her side is once again the team to beat in 2018/19.
With Suzy Batkovic raising eyebrows at last year’s season launch when she boldly predicated the Fire would claim their third crown in four seasons – star Dandenong forward Sara Blicavs among those who queried the claim at the time – Garbin followed suit when she was asked on stage in Sydney yesterday.
https://twitter.com/SBSSport/status/1049152325737046016
Having featured in five of the past six WNBL Grand Finals, the Fire have once again assembled a star-studded squad with Suzy Batkovic desperate to hoist the trophy aloft one more time after announcing that this year would be her 17th and final in the competition.
Despite Batkovic’s impending retirement, Garbin said it was business as usual for the reigning champions ahead of this week’s season opener against the Rangers.
“It’s going really good,” Garbin said.
“Suzy got up here last year and said we were going to win it so it would be rude not to say that we will go back-to-back.
“I think we’re still just as hungry to go back-to-back and get that championship and it would be a great way to send her off.”
Game Over! The Fire & the Heat share the spoils 71-71 after this clutch @DarceeGarbin and-1! @SuzyBatkovic led the way with 22 points, while Darcee (12), Zitina (11) & Casey (11) all finished in double figures! #FireUpTownsville pic.twitter.com/V7A8wxGzMH
— Townsville Fire (@TownsvilleFire) October 7, 2018
With the Rangers accounting for Melbourne in a pre-season hit-out on Friday night, the Fire are well aware of their perimeter strength after winning just one of their three encounters last year.
“I think last year we just had a few scout issues down there,” Garbin said.
“We didn’t close out on their shooters – I clearly remember one game being down about 40 so it would be nice to hopefully get one back on them at home.”
The Fire will unveil their 2017/18 championship banner at Townsville Stadium on Sunday, with tip-off at 3pm.
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