But additionally to tough Bendigo and Ballarat games, Torns coach Richard Dickel admits the double-header acts as virtual mini-finals.

“Totally and utterly (they are virtual finals),” he said.

“We’re placed under pressure, we’re placed at a disadvantage and that’s when true character comes out.

“That will set us up really good for the playoffs.” 

Bendigo, along with Dandenong are one win ahead in the south conference, but Launceston has a game in hand ahead of its next three. 

Hobart is a further two wins behind, while Ballarat in finals’ pursuit trail in fifth.

“We’ve got another opportunity, again without Lauren Mansfield who’s away on Opals duties, to play against two very good teams that we are battling away with for playoff spots,” Dickel said.

“It’s big for us – we’re one game out of first, so we need to pick up another couple somewhere along the line.”

Mansfield shot five points and pulled down five rebounds in the 81-48 win over North Korea on Thursday evening in the Asian Cup quarter-finals that ensured Australia would qualify for next year’s World Cup.

Dickel is turning the captain’s absence into a positive.

“Even though Lauren’s away, we get to come together and compete without her on court, which might happen in the playoffs, if she got fouled off or injured,” he said.

“So it’s a good opportunity for us to come together and work on some things because we’ve got a lot of improvement to do, so we could definitely get a lot better in the next couple of weeks.”