Loss not factor in rematch

GEELONG Supercats coach Leon O’Neill said his side’s Round 4 loss to Ballarat would carry no burden as his side met the Miners away from home in tomorrow night’s semi-final.

The Miners won 97-88 that night in their only encounter for the season, which saw them secure fourth spot to knock the Supercats down to fifth.

But O’Neill said a lot of water had gone under the bridge since that April 28 game, with the Miners to be without injured import Davon Usher.

Usher scored 22 points that night, while the Supercats were without Nick Owusu, who has bolstered the team in the past month.

“That was so long ago, it’s almost two different teams,” the coach said.

“We’re playing, I’d like to think, better basketball than we were at that time.”

The Miners lost 109-103 to Nunawading in their qualifying final, showcasing a fast break style.

O’Neill, who did not use Tuesday’s match with Chinese Taipei to try anything different, rather giving some Division 1 players a chance to show their wares, said his defence would be crucial in the Supercats’ bid to control the tempo.

“We’ll be wary of getting into too much of a foot race with them,” he said.

“While we feel we’re capable of getting up and down, and putting a score on the board, we’re also very capable of scoring if the game’s played at a slower pace.

“We’ll hopefully present some challenges for them and throw some things out there that maybe they haven’t seen.

“I like our chances. I think we’re as prepared as we can be . . . and if we play to our best, I think we’re good enough to beat anybody. Last week we were excellent and I’m hoping we’re going to be just as good on Saturday.”