Albury-Wodonga Bandits to look towards young talent for double header

With former Adelaide 36ers development player Bijan Johnson possibly facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines with a knee injury, coach Brad Chalmers said the club's youth league players are set to receive more opportunities in the coming weeks.

Chaz Bishop will again lend a helping hand after making his debut in the senior side last round, while Mitch Donavan is set to play his first game.

Johnny Crnogorac will miss the side's clash on Saturday against Ringwood Hawks due to family commitments, before returning on Sunday for Frankston.

Chalmers said Josh McKay and Toby Cossor will also be called upon this weekend.

"I think those two guys particularly have to step up and put some punch around the output we were getting from Johnny," Chalmers said.

"We're yet to determine the length, but it's looking like Bijan will be out long term more than anything.

"We're working really hard to try and find another alternative option to cover his loss.

"In the next few weeks our local guys in particular will get their chance to get amongst it."

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After finally claiming their first win of the season against Waverley Falcons, Chalmers admitted the side will take more confidence on the road with them.

"The results even from the first round suggested we could, it was just a matter of playing right to the end and four quarters, which had been our Achilles heel," he said.

Frankston Blues are currently sitting third on the NBL1 men's ladder, having claimed five wins this season.

Ringwood Hawks have notched up three wins and are coming off the back of a narrow two-point triumph against Ballarat Miners.

"Frankston have quite a deep roster and they're loaded up with some talent," Chalmers said.

"Ringwood have a lot of experienced guys who have played a lot of basketball.

"If we can get one of them, it will be a really fantastic outcome for us."

The Bandits Saturday game will start at 8pm, before facing the Blues in Frankston on Sunday afternoon.

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