FITTING TRIBUTE FOR ONE OF KIND

TOWNSVILLE Fire general manager Richard Goodbody has paid tribute to retiring captain Suzy Batkovic, saying her influence goes far beyond her incredible talents on the court.

Batkovic has confirmed she will return from a neck injury for one final game against the Sydney Flames at Townsville Stadium next Saturday night.

The star centre has played seven seasons with the Fire for three championships and Goodbody said Batkovic had been just as important to the

Townsville community and the sport in general.

“It’s hard to be able to put into words, but I think what she’s meant to the game transcends just what she does on the floor,” Goodbody said.

“She’s an incredible player, an incredible scorer and leader, but it’s also what she does in the community and the selflessness that she gives to her teammates and the club and the league just to make the sport better.

“It’s an amazing swan song for Suz to be able to get out on Townsville Stadium one last time and for the fans and members to be able to show their appreciation for the best that’s ever been.”

Goodbody will also depart the club at season’s end to take up a role with Racing Queensland and he was confident he was leaving the Fire in a stronger position than when he arrived.

“To have the honour of leading the club is incredible and it’s with a really heavy heart to actually leave because it’s such a special place,” Goodbody said, who took up the role of Fire GM five years ago.

“We’ve obviously had a lot of success on and off the floor and I think as a custodian you always want the place to be better when you leave than when you started and I leave with my head high.

“I look forward to watching the Fire go on to bigger and better things in the near future.”