Injuries won’t stop tenacious Flames

SYDNEY Flames coach Cheryl Chambers is adamant her side won’t back down against the Townsville Fire despite a hefty injury toll.

The Flames have lost three of their starting five for today’s clash at Townsville Stadium with captain Belinda Snell ( calf), Tahlia Tupaea ( concussion), and Alex Bunton ( leg) all failing to make the trip.

The loss of Snell and Bunton in particular leaves the Flames undersized against the defending champs, who have arguably the most imposing frontcourt in the league led by six- time MVP Suzy Batkovic.

Chambers admitted her side was vulnerable as they chase their first win of the season, but felt all the pressure was still on the Fire, who have also made a shaky start with a 1- 2 record.

“Their inside presence is pretty strong so to come without ‘ Bunts’ and ‘ Snelly’ who help in that area makes us a bit vulnerable,” Chambers said.

“We look a little different than we normally would, but we’re certainly thinking the pressure’s more on Townsville because we are a little injury hit at the minute.

“We’ll put some pressure on the ball and do all those ten- acious things, push it back at them as best we can to try and nullify their inside presence.”

Teenage centre Lara McSpadden will be given a bigger role to help combat Townsville’s bigs and Chambers said that experience for their young players could prove invaluable later in the season.

“Lara McSpadden hasn’t played much at all.

“She’s just an 18- year- old with a bright future and it gives everyone some opportunities that they may not have had,” Chambers said.

“It’s not ideal that we’ve got injuries, but hopefully other players get a bit more confidence and then when we add them ( Snell, Tupaea, and Bunton) back in and we’re a bit better all over because of that.

“The girls have trained well all week so hopefully that transfers into the game.”

The Flames could still knock the Fire down to the bottom of the ladder with a victory today and Chambers expected every game throughout the season to be a hard- fought encounter.

WE LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN WE NORMALLY WOULD, BUT WE’RE CERTAINLY THINKING THE PRESSURE’S MORE ON TOWNSVILLE CHERYL CHAMBERS