Seasoned coach Richard Dickel has done it, but he still accepts “it’s definitely different” playing at home 24 hours after a trip interstate.
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Launceston Tornadoes take on the second of their four season double-header weekends travelling to Geelong for Friday night before returning to Elphin Sports Centre on Saturday night.
The club amid the practice of host sides benefiting from a fresh start against weary visiting rivals did not play the unusual away-to-home road trip last year either.
The one-time WNBL head coach and NBL assistant still expects the Tornadoes to hit the floor running back home.
“It’s definitely different – let me put it that way,” Dickel said. “I have done it a couple of games before in the WNBL and NBL, but it’s just a matter of process.
“We haven’t had a chance to set up our processes yet in what we do in terms of recovery and reacting with the girls in that way.
“It’s probably isn’t going to be no different for us; we’re used to being a little disrupted. We’re going to make no excuses for it – it is what it is.
“We’ve known this is coming about for a while, but it is definitely different and will be a different experience.”
The Tornadoes have back-to-back road games in June and July, but face easier breaks against the AIS and Canberra both in the nation’s capital and Ballarat and Bendigo just 100kms apart.
Dickel said overcoming Geelong Supercats and Nunawading Spectres – two of Australia’s basketball traditional establishments – remained the focus to build on the 7-2 win/loss record for the south conference leaders.
“Obviously Geelong’s a very tough ask on the road. They’re a very good team with one of the very best players in the league in Sara Blicavs,” he said.
“That’s going to be a tough ask, but we’re more than capable of stepping up and then coming and playing a very tough team in Nunawading. Playing in front of our crowds is going to be a great experience again.”
New Zealander Dickel’s appointment paid off when he masterminded a comeback win over Dandenong in his Torns coaching debut.
But the one-time NZNBL and Norwegian clubs coach refused to take credit.
“Anytime you get a win, it gives you a little bit more confidence,” he said.
“It’s good for the team; it’s good for the morale.
“I think the way we went about it was really good, toughing it out.
“But as far as a test for me, you know it’s not about me but the girls going out performing on the court and us coming together as a team.”