IT’S ALL ON THE LINE IN ARMY ROUND
So we arrive at the last game of the regular season and there is plenty to play for at the Fire Pit. Townsville takes on Perth a second place shootout with the winner securing home court advantage in their semi-final series. The hosts head into the game on the back of eight straight victories and coach Shannon Seebohm believes the contest is a chance to land a blow on the Lynx leading into the playoffs.
“If you don’t win it doesn’t mean that your season is over by any stretch obviously, but you know it’d be advantageous I think to get home court advantage for the finals but also I think gain a little bit of a mental edge as well.”
While they’ll be seeing plenty of each other over the next 2weeks it’ll be the first battle between the teams since November, after they faced off twice in the West early in the season, with the results split. Ticket sales to the season series decider have been booming with Townsville tracking for its biggest crowd of this campaign. General Manager Sam Pascoe would love to see all seats filled.
“We’re encouraging everyone who hasn’t got a ticket to get it, come along and enjoy the action, and it’d be great to sell out. I think that’s a really great way to lead into finals where we obviously look for those capacity crowds.”
And the supporters will quite literally be marching into the stadium.
“It’s our annual Army round game, a very special event that we look forward to hosting every single year. It’s great for families on that Sunday afternoon time slot.”
And the Major General has skipped some duties to be a part of the celebrations. Scott Winter was inspired by club legend Suzy Batkovic’s leadership qualities close to a decade ago and has been a passionate Fire fan since.
“You see the values that Shannon has instilled in this team, you know that stronger together, putting the team before self. That’s something that Army shares with the Fire. And still, it’s the only team that carries the rising sun on its jersey, we wouldn’t just give that away to just any team.”
Tip off is at 2pm but arrive early to watch the Army and JCU battle it out for the Batkovic-Winter Cup, in what will be an entraining curtain raiser. That game gets underway at 12.30.
