The Tornadoes will start as firm favourite after last weekend's double road-trip victories, which included inflicting ladder-leader Kilsyth's first defeat of the season.

The Tornadoes have a 5-4 win-loss record and sit fourth on the Southern Conference ladder, while Ballarat have struggled so far this season only winning one game and languish on the bottom of the Eastern Conference table.

Despite the Rush's ladder position, Tornadoes coach Reece Potter is aware that his team cannot afford to relax or take them lightly.

"The fact that they have won only one game makes them as dangerous as ever," he said.

"They are a star-studded side with four WNBL players, including Melbourne Boomers Olivia Thompson, Shanae Graves, Jess May and Abbey Wehrung with support from SEABL veteran Kristy Rinaldi, along with a number of talented Victoria Country junior state players.

"They are going to be desperate to get a win on their Tassie road trip to get some confidence going into the second half of the season.

"We must not underestimate this team, we need to continue to improve and have contributions from all team members for 40 minutes to beat this team."

The Tornadoes have added incentive to record their sixth win of the season with the two clubs playing their annual match for the Madeleine Howard Shield.

A former Tornadoes player, Howard was tragically killed in a car accident at the age of 17 in 2004.

"The game has special meaning to everyone in the club and the Tornadoes are determined to win in her honor," Potter said.

"We have prepared well to ensure complacency is not an issue as we push to win Madeleine's shield."