No excuse for road failures says skipper as big test looms

TOWNSVILLE Fire captain Suzy Batkovic has called for a strong response from her side as they look to round out a frustrating eight- day road trip with a win over the Sydney Flames tomorrow night.

The Fire are 0- 2 heading into their blockbuster clash against the defending champions after dropping games against Perth ( 84- 79) and Dandenong ( 78- 59) earlier this week.

Townsville have played three games in the past seven days while they’ve been on the road since Sunday and that busy schedule caught up with them in a lethargic performance against Dandenong.

Batkovic insisted there was no reason for the Fire to start panicking given they’re still equal second on the ladder, but she said it was crucial that they lift their intensity against Sydney.

“We’re still up the top so it’s not panic stations yet. It’s just disappointing that we were in a good position and we’ve stumbled a little bit,” she said.

“Our energy was a bit down and we just didn’t play our game. Dandenong had a great game and shot the lights out and we’ve got to adjust. I don’t know what it is, but at the end of the day it’s just part of the condensed season. We rolled the dice and got an eight- day road trip.

“It’s not like we’re sleeping in a tent and on a hard floor. There’s no excuse for those efforts.

“We just need to make sure we’re all accountable and find that fire in the belly.”

The Fire could slip out of the top four altogether should results go against them this weekend while they also need a win to keep their series against Sydney alive.

Batkovic said it was a scenario she was determined to avoid with such a congested ladder heading into the business end of the season. “I think every game is important, but particularly now. We’re coming off two losses and we need a reaction and we need to come away with a win,” she said.

“We don’t want to get in a predicament where we start relying on other teams winning or losing. Every team is neck and neck so we need to win some more games.”

Batkovic was floored by some heavy contact early in the third quarter against Dandenong, but the skipper was confident she would be fine to play against Sydney.

“I’m feeling a bit stiff today, but another night with the physio and I should be good to go,” she said.