Launceston Tornadoes are now set to travel down the Midland Highway for a do-or-die semi-final battle with rivals Hobart Chargers.
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The booked playoff in five days time follows up a heavy 86-58 defeat to Dandenong Rangers on Saturday night.
The stage was set perfectly for a Tornadoes home final when the Chargers lost 24 hours earlier that ensured Hobart’s traditional foes only had to win in Dandenong.
But the Chargers moved from fourth to third – and new semi hosts – on the back of a 87-74 road win at Frankston later the next night.
Launceston coach Richard Dickel was almost apologetic but was still upbeat about his side’s chances at the Derwent Entertainment Centre.
“It’s disappointing for our home crowd fans and all the sponsors, and really everybody in Launceston,” he said.
“It’s definitely disappointing from that point of view.
“But you’ve got to play everyone sometime (in the finals), so we’ll just go in there with the right attitude and hopefully can take down business on Friday night.”
The visitors started poorly against the top-ranked south conference team, dragging a 23-13 deficit at quarter-time out to a 55-32 one at the half.
Dickel urging his Torns to lift, the difference dropped to 15 points at the last change.
“I was disappointed with the effort levels in the first half than anything,” he said.
“We need to go away and rectify that – be a lot more aggressive in everything we do.
“Maybe it was something we didn’t do during the week, so I’ll have a look at it.
“While our effort levels just weren’t there, in the second half we came out and played pretty hard.
“We kept them to 30 points in the second half, which is going to win you a lot of games – but not when you give up 55 in a first half.”
Tayla Roberts battled hard for 19 points, but stars Lauren Nicholson, with six points, and Mansfield, returning from Opals national duties, with two, struggled.
Ellie Collins, back from a 10-week surgical hip injury, proved to be a shining light among her 15 points. Jayde Brazendale performed admirably to add another 10.
Still optimistic to wipe the slate clean after three straight defeats, Dickel said: “The new season starts on Friday night and we’re just looking forward to that opportunity.”