Battling Chargers put finals hopes on hold

FINALS have been taken off the agenda for the Hobart women as coach Dwain Davie desperately searches for a solution to get a stuttering SEABL campaign back on track.

After impressive wins over powerhouse clubs Dandenong and Nunawading a month ago, the Chargers were eyeing a toptwo finish and double chance in the South Conference.

But four consecutive losses — the past two including boom signing Mikaela Ruef — have seen the side slip into dangerous territory as Frankston chases the wobbly group.

The Lady Blues now sit only one game behind Hobart, while rival Launceston has skipped four wins clear in third, making every match crucial in the run home.

Davie has stripped things back to basics in an effort to recapture the momentum his side was building. Tomorrow night’s home clash against Geelong is the next test.

“They are always quality. They will be missing a couple of players this week but I think they kept Sydney to 35 points for the full game on the weekend,” Davie said.

“They can play D [defence], they can score, they are a quality organisation. The ‘f’ word is now out of the vocabulary, it is one game at a time and just focused on the challenge ahead each week. If we do that, and play our best basketball, the rest will take care of itself.

“We are aware Frankston are one game behind and Launceston have gone one game further ahead. That’s disappointing but we have taken it out of the equation.”

Adding the firepower of former Tornado Ruef, fresh from a stint with WNBA champion Los Angeles, has been offset by the breakdown in chemistry with the existing group.

Davie conceded it had been worse than he expected, but he hopes it is only a short-term teething issue.

“It’s definitely changed things and it will probably take us a little bit of time to adjust to that in terms of the way we play and positional-wise,” he said.

“We knew that was going to be a factor but the buck stops with me as the coach. I have to do a better job of preparing the team and dealing with those challenges.”

Tip-off is 6pm at the DEC.