LOOK WHO’S BECK
KIWI S TAR T O BE UNLEASHED FOR TOWNSVILLE FIRE
NEW Zealand representative guard Stella Beck is expected to add welcome reinforment to the Townsville Fire’s defence in Saturday’s home clash against the Sydney Uni Flames.
Beck will make her WNBL debut for the Fire after recovering from a stress fracture in her foot, and is a quality addition following the Fire’s 10point loss to Perth last weekend.
“I know where my strengths are and defensively we did struggle the last few games. That’s something I can focus on bringing,” Beck said.
THE season is still young, but Townsville Fire coach Claudia Brassard says the looming stretch of home games is critical to set up their title defence after a slow start to their WNBL campaign.
The Fire have dropped two of their first three matches, including their sole match at Townsville Stadium, ahead of hosting Sydney on Saturday afternoon in the first of three single matches at home.
With three away games in two weeks to follow, it’s a stretch they outlined as vital even before their 1- 2 start, which means they can ill- afford to take lightly an understrength Flames.
Sydney sharpshooter Belinda Snell ( calf tear) is unlikely to play for the winless Flames after missing Sunday's loss to Melbourne, while Tahlia Tupaea ( concussion) is also unlikely.
Young Australian Opals big Alex Bunton ( corked knee), who is averaging 21 points and 11 rebounds per game in a superb start to her season, is also in doubt. “Certainly it got highlighted early in our preseason that we really need to lock away these games at home,” Brassard said.
“We would have been happy to be sitting 2- 1, 1- 2 isn't ideal but it isn’t the end of the world. We have to make sure we take care of the next three.
“Everyone’s tough in this league this year; teams look a bit different and everyone’s adjusting.”
Brassard knows they’re not in a position to take anyone lightly and will prepare on the assumption the Flames are full strength. “We’ll prepare like all three are playing. They’ll be desperate for a win, so I imagine if any of those three are a chance of playing, they will,” she said.
In contrast guard Stella Beck is ex- pected to make her Fire debut after recovering from a stress fracture in her foot.
The New Zealand international’s perimeter defence will be a welcome addition after the Fire leaked 98 points in Sunday’s loss in Perth.
“I know where my strengths are and defensively we did struggle the last few games. That’s something I can focus on bringing,” Beck said.
“I probably could have played ( last week) but it’s early in the season and if something did happen last weekend it could put me out for another four weeks potentially. It’s not worth taking the risk. I was happy with the decision to not play.”
Saturday’s clash tips off at 2pm, and will be televised live on SBS.
I KNOW WHERE MY STRENGTHS ARE AND DEFENSIVELY WE DID STRUGGLE THE LAST FEW GAMES. THAT'S SOMETHING I CAN FOCUS ON BRINGING. STELLA BECK