Chargers need to get offensive in defence

DEFENSIVE physicality will be key to the Hobart Chargers snaring victory over Nunawading at the Derwent Entertainment Centre tonight, coach Dwain Davie says.

Hobart will do battle with the fifth-placed SEABL Eastern Conference side after last week upsetting then Southern Conference ladder leader Dandenong. The Chargers edged past the Rangers by 10 points and will need a win over the Spectres tonight to keep up the pace with the Southern Conference top four.

The Chargers are in fourth spot with five from nine, while Nunawading has five wins from 10 games.

Davie said Nunawading was similar to his side in terms of stature, but noted they had a disciplined offence.

“The key to us winning on Friday is taking them out of that and trying to be a bit physical and disrupt that offence, which is something we did really well last week,” he said. “That will be the focus again.

“But on the flip side of that we need to keep running our stuff . . . and not give them extra chances by turning the ball over. It’s probably been one of things that has held us back this year.”

Davie said his side was also now looking at catching the top two sides in the conference ahead of the finals.

“We’ve challenged the top teams when we’ve played them,” he said “We’re on the right track, but I think it’s more about being consistent and sticking to our stuff for the whole game rather than having those lapses.”

Davie said there were no serious injury concerns aside from some sore bodies.

Tip off is at 6pm tonight, while the men’s team play at 8pm.