the Grand Final re-match is here

Townsville Takes On Southside In Grand Final Rematch

The Fire is yet to beat tonight’s opponents, since Dandenong rebranded to Southside, with the Flyers securing a seventh successive win over Townsville in last year’s WNBL decider. Still our women won’t use grand final heartache or their lengthy losing streak as motivation to topple the home side. Townsille coach Shannon Seebohm is focused on the present, rather than the past.

“I didn’t know we haven’t beaten the Flyers. I’ve had a couple of tough hit outs against them since I’ve been up here so yeah, we’re really looking forward to it. There’s no extra motivation on anything like that, we’re just trying to win like we are every week.”

The Fire’s focus is once again on defence, having held Adelaide and Sydney to less than 60 points in their two games this season. Southside’s averaged a tick under eighty across their three games despite losing twice. Seebohm wants his players to pride themselves on getting stops against the defending champions.

“They’ve got a lot of offensive firepower so we need to be on our game defensively. We need to turn up play hard and execute our scout and I think if we do that, we’ll be in good shape.”

Townsville import Sug Sutton has an extra spring in her step… Literally, after making her WNBL debut last round, despite still feeling the effects of a knee injury, she suffered late in pre-season. The American admitting to being a little tentative, at the Fire Pit.

“There were still a few things I was kind of worried about doing. Stuff in the back of my mind like was I going to tweak it again. But now I’m getting some recovery in and getting some practices in and I think I’m 100 percent now.”

The point guard dished out seven assists. A stat she wants to increase.

“Everything came together pretty well just being with them in pre-season we got that chance to build that chemistry on the court. I think every day we’re just trying to get better individually and as a team.”

Tonight’s tussle has all the makings of a Christmas cracker with the ladder leaders looking to remain unbeaten. Tip-off is at six thirty Queensland time, you can follow the Fire’s progress on the club’s Facebook page or catch the game on KAYO.

The Fire will be back in the Fire Pit on December 31st against the Canberra Capitals.

Secure your tickets to the game here