The Bandits must win Saturday night’s clash with Kilsyth by 14 points or more to keep their SEABL playoff hopes alive.
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We know we’re a finals-calibre team, but obviously if the end result is we don’t make finals, there’ll be a bit of disappointment.
- Sawyer Dearborn
After dropping both games in their tough double header on the road to Mount Gambier and Nunawading, the Border side has slipped to sixth on the table with two games to play.
Kilsyth, sitting fifth, won the earlier season meeting by 13, hence why the Bandits need to eclipse that margin to get the head-to-head back in their favour.
The third party in the finals battle is Sandringham, who have a tough game at home against Hobart (second in south conference), before finishing the season against the Canberra Gunners.
Therefore, the Bandits will need to win their final round match-up on the road to Geelong and hope the Sabres slip up.
Bandits’ swingman Sawyer Dearborn said the confidence is high among the group knowing there is still a mathematical chance of reaching the playoffs.
“We owe Kilsyth one after giving them a win down at their place after controlling the game for 35 minutes,” Dearborn said.
“I think it was good to get to this week realising there’s still a chance and its keeps the morale of the group pretty high.
“We know we’re a finals-calibre team that’s for sure, but obviously if the end result is we don’t make finals, there’ll be a bit of disappointment.”
Dearborn admitted mental lapses and poor execution late in games has hurt the Bandits on a number of occasions throughout the season.
Recent SEABL player of the week JT Terrell again looms as a key player for the Border outfit and will be keen to bounce back from a tough weekend.
“With JT firing on all cylinders, he’s without a doubt a tough cover,” Dearborn said.
”He has improved dramatically since he’s been here, but there’s always room for improvement and that’s not only him, that’s all of us.”
The game tips off at 8pm at the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre, with the Lady Bandits chasing their fifth win of the season, also against Kilsyth, at 6pm.