Fire to embrace furnace

TOWNSVILLE Fire coach Claudia Brassard has encouraged her players to embrace the atmosphere of a sold-out Victorian venue tonight as they look to wrap up the WNBL grand final series against Melbourne Boomers.

Melbourne’s home floor will be a purple stronghold with more than 3000 fans expected to cheer their side’s quest to force a deciding third game back in Townsville on Sunday night.

If that wasn’t motivation enough for the Boomers, superstar centre Liz Cambage has also confirmed that she won’t re-sign with the club next season as she targets a return to the WNBA.

The home side will have everything to play for with a capacity crowd behind them, but Brassard felt the big-game ambience could be just as beneficial to the Fire players.

“I think it’s amazing. As an athlete, coach, or a player, there’s nothing better than playing in front of a massive crowd,” Brassard said.

“It gets you excited.”