AFTER finding some chemistry in the last fortnight, the Albury-Wodonga Bandits will face another massive test in the Hobart Chargers on Saturday night.
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The Bandits were unlucky not to have claimed two wins on the road last weekend, a solitary point all that split them and league powerhouses Mt Gambier.
After defeating the 14-4 Chargers on the road when they last met in round four, Bandits coach Brad Chalmers said he was confident the home side had it in them to win again.
“Hobart aren't too dissimilar to what we were last year, they're recruited a particular style of group which have come together very quickly,” he said.
“Defensively they're very good, and they have enough firepower to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
“They probably aren't the deepest team, but their starting five is a real handful.
“They cover space well, move well, and have a preparedness to help each other.”
Hobart, who are second on the SEABL southern conference ladder, will be an interesting team to match up on for the Bandits, Chalmers said.
“They're possibly a little bit undersized compared to us, they play small ball to a certain degree,” he said.
“We have to take advantage of our strengths, which I think we did well in our first meeting.”
The Chargers held an 11-point lead at last break when they last met, before the Bandits stormed home with a 33-17 point final quarter.
Greg Mays, who was named in the SEABL team of the week after his efforts last weekend, finished with 30 points and 13 rebounds on that occasion.
“We were able to push our dominance forward at times in the last game,” Chalmers said.
“Both teams get up and down the floor well, but we'll have an advantage in terms of size and athleticism at times.
“We've just got to find momentum at the right times.”
Given the Chargers’ smaller roster, Chalmers said bench players Darcy Harding and Sawyer Dearborn would once again have to come up with the goods when given the opportunity.
“There's a real scope for us to looks at some different line-ups, we need to be able to disrupt and counter them,” he said.
Tip-off is at 6pm for the Lady Bandits and 8pm for the men at the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre.