Fire 1-0 ahead but it's all tied up
TweetTOWNSVILLE has the homecourt advantage in tonight's Game 2 of the WNBL's historic first ever Wattle Valley Best-of-3 Grand Final series.
But, to be honest, it doesn't have much else.
While the Fire twice iced Perth Lynx (91-81 and 77-71) at the Fire Station, it also lost twice to Western Australia's championship hope.
Beaten 82-69 in Perth, Townsville still clinched the regular season championship but surrendered it in the double-chance Semi Final.
That was when the Lynx hit the Fire Station and burnt down Townsville's hopes 91-72. A few Fire demons were exorcised that time.
Like the defending champion it is, Townsville took care of SEQ, then flew across country for the Grand Final Series with Perth.
Trailing at the last break, the Fire kicked up into full Flame-On mode and torched the Lynx 73-57 to seize Game 1 and the series momentum.
So Townsville leads 1-0, 3-2 on the season and is at home in front of a sold-out crowd tonight.
But once that ball is tossed into the air, it won't just be 0-0, but 382-382 after five games.
That's how even these teams and this series truly are.
Townsville needs Cayla George to step it up offensively, Suzy Batkovic to be The Batgirl, Mia Murray to revisit her Rachael Sporn Medal-winning form, with players such as Micaela Cocks, Nat Novosel, Cherie Gallagher, Darcee Garbin and Kate Gaze fulfilling their roles.
Perth will get solid service from its import tandem of Sami Whitcomb and Betnijah Laney - the latter one of the best all-round players in the league - and if its Aussie stars such as Tessa Lavey, Louella Tomlinson, Carley Mijovic and Nat Burton rise for the occasion, we'll have a series to long remember.
SUPERSTAR: Betnijah Laney drives on Cayla George. The stage is set for an epic Game 2.
Coach of the Year, Andy Stewart, and reigning championship coach Chris Lucas are sure to have made whatever necessary adjustments to ensure victory.
Personally, I'm still leaning to the defending champs avoiding a trip back to Perth for a decider on Sunday, which would be a great result for a regional club against what, ultimately, will be a powerhouse program.
Tip-off is 7pm local (6.30 SA, 7.30 AEST, 4 WA) and if you go to the WNBL website, you'll find a link to the live stream.