Skipper eyes Sydney redemption

JCU Townsville Fire captain Suzy Batkovic has implored her troops to return to the winners’ list tomorrow when they confront Sydney Uni in the Fox Sports Game of the Week.

With the match to be broadcast from 2pm QLD time, Batkovic said the Fire could ill afford for the season to slip away from the Fire after dropping back-to-back games.

Over the past two seasons, the Fire and the Flames have enjoyed some titanic tussles, with four games decided by three points or less.

The Flames will be looking to rebound as well, however, after losing on Wednesday night to Adelaide.

“It’s an important game for us in the context of our season,” the five-time WNBL MVP said.

“We’re now in the final month of the regular season and we need to be finding our best form if we want to play finals and contend for another championship.

“We don’t want to get ourselves into a situation where our destiny is not in our own hands.

“As a squad, we’re certainly capable of producing high results it’s just a matter of re-capturing that form.”

While Batkovic top-scored for the Fire with 19 points and nine rebounds during Wednesday night’s loss to Dandenong, vice-captain Mia Murray was named the Recoverite MVP after a sparkling display.

The Rachael Sporn medallist splashed a season-high 16 points including four of her eight attempts from beyond the arc and appears to have found some of the form that makes her one of the WNBL’s most lethal outside shooters.

The Fire and the Flames tip-off at 2pm on Saturday with the match broadcast on Fox Sports 503.

Fire members and fans are encouraged to watch the game at Townsville RSL – 139 Charters Towers Rd, Hyde Park.