THE Albury-Wodonga Bandits have a golden opportunity to strike back after a poor loss to Hobart last week.
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Injuries to Canberra Gunners back court duo Tim Coenraad and Indiana Faithfull open the door for the likes of Deba George and Ben Kearins to have a heavy influence on the game.
While it’s a helpful circumstance leading into such a crucial game, Bandits coach Brad Chalmers said the side could ill-afford another lacklustre performance.
“Coenraad going out takes 20 points a game out of that team,” he said.
“But if you don’t respect guys because of their averages they’ll end up burning you.
“These guys play hard, they have a real backs-to-the-wall mentality.”
After seeming to have put their topsy-turvy form from earlier in the season behind them against Kilsyth, Mt Gambier and Ballarat earlier this month, last week’s loss to the Chargers marked a step backwards.
While still a mathematical chance to play finals, the Bandits need to win all of their remaining four games and cross their fingers that other results fall their way if they want to see post-season action.
With fourth place still up in the air, Chalmers was opting to focus on one game at a time.
“We have to get back to playing solid, team-oriented basketball,” he said.
“We were way too isolated last week.
“We need to play that style where the ball is getting through hands quickly.
“There's been a few games where we've got an even contribution from five or six guys, that's been something we've talked about all year.
“The more people we can get involved the better.
“We've got the ability and the firepower, even when we're not playing terribly well, to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
“The Achilles heel has been that we just haven't been able to play the right way all year.”
With the Gunners vulnerable in the back court, star guard Deba George will be out to regain some touch after shooting just one of seven from the field last weekend in Albury.
Darcy Harding should continue his solid form, while Sawyer Dearborn has also shown some positive signs off the bench in recent weeks.
The Bandits have been well served by tall timber Greg Mays and Clay McMath of late, with the latter's defensive work a standout.