MONTHS of blood, sweat and tears all come down to this Saturday night.
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Although months of work doesn't quite cover it for Albury-Wodonga Bandits coach Brad Chalmers.
It's been a long road back from the depths of the SEABL after the Bandits last tasted the ultimate success in 2012, but the squad Chalmers and his team assembled at the start of the year have helped the club complete a remarkable turnaround.
While the coach said his players had been the catalyst for the club's resurgence, none of it would have been possible without the backing of the club's supporters.
“Our club has always been one that really understands who it is, what it means,” Chalmers said.
“This game is a fantastic reward for everyone who has stuck with us over the journey, not just the players.
“It's the culmination of years of work on and off the court, everyone who has worn the singlet, everyone who fronts up every week.”
Chalmers said everyone would need to be at their best for the Bandits to win the rematch against Geelong, who pummelled Dandenong by 17-points last weekend.
“The game will be won or lost at the defensive end,” coach Chalmers said.
“Our offence has been fantastic all year, but we'll really need to make sure our defensive efforts match that, and that's been happening in the last few games we've played.
“We'll need Deba (George) to do some more, Donte (Nicholas) leads us extremely well on defence as well, but we need everybody to stand up.
“Everyone understands that it can't be just one or two guys leading the way, it has to be everyone.”
The Supercats reeled in an early 13-point Bandits lead in their previous encounter, prompting Chalmers to ask for a more physical display.
He got what he wanted, as the Bandits sealed the win with a 29-22 point final term.
Chalmers said maintaining that physical presence would be key against the Supercats.
“We really respect Geelong,” he said.
“But it'll be a fairly heated and animated game I'd imagine, and I would expect nothing less from my group.
“We play a high octane style of basketball and sometimes our physicality can drop off, as we saw in the last game, but we regrouped and came back well.
“We're ready to play and ready to enjoy playing.”
