Cayla George wary of team ‘ craving a win’

TOWNSVILLE star Cayla George insists Dandenong’s current slump makes them an even tougher proposition as the Fire look to bounce back from last week’s loss to Perth in Victoria tonight.

The Fire’s four- game winning run came to a halt against the Lynx on Saturday, putting them level atop the WNBL ladder with Perth and Sydney.

Although the Rangers have dropped four of their past five games, power forward George is bracing for a desperate Dandenong keen to prove they can fire without the injured Sara Blicavs.

The Rangers beat the Fire 86- 69 five weeks ago and George and her teammates haven’t forgotten.

“I think it’s an even scarier position to be in, because they’re craving a win,” George said.

“I’m even more nervous for the game but in a good way, when someone’s out of a team it gives someone else an opportunity to step up.

“That’s what they’ll do and they’re not just going to fall over and let us win.”

George’s front court partnership with Suzy Batkovic is arguably the best in the league and the Fire will fancy their chances of exploiting their size against one of the WNBL’s smallest outfits.

“We’ve got to use that advantage,” George said.

“It’ll help our best shooters on the outside and that will free up the inside, and then we’re tough to stop.”

Townsville kickstarted a four- game winning run after a loss at Perth early this season and George is hoping for a similar reaction after the 84- 79 defeat.

“We allowed them too many second chance points ( 17) and we had 19 turnovers,” George said.

“It was close in margin but they’re a great team and feeling hot right now, that’s their seventh win in a row.

“We’re still tied with Perth and Sydney for the top of the ladder so it’s not panic stations at all, it’s just reflecting on that game because we definitely have areas to improve.”

The Fire will complete their three- game, eight- day road trip against defending champions Sydney on Saturday, which will be televised on Fox Sports.

Fox Sports will also broadcast the Rangers- Fire game on its website tonight from 6.20pm.