Launceston Tornadoes coach Derrick Washington says his side is well positioned to take on the undefeated Bendigo Braves in week one of the finals series.
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The Torns not only regained the Mitchell-Greenwood Trophy with a 99-85 victory over Hobart Chargers down south on Friday night, they secured a top-four position and a double chance.
Launceston has fallen twice to the Braves already this season, but Washington said his side has been building for some time with most of his arsenal in good form.
“The ladies performed amazing on Friday night… Lauren Nicholson, Ally Wilson and Ellie Collins had big games,” he said.
“Ali Partridge had 10, Courtney Williams had 14, Paige French was able to knock down some threes.
“It was a hard-fought win. We really played hard for four quarters and they really wanted the win.”
Washington said he would have his full squad to choose from for next weekend’s showdown in Victoria.
“We’ve been battling injuries all year and Lauren Mansfield has been in and out… but we will be fully loaded for our next game ready to go for this championship run,” he said.
“We want to play Bendigo because we feel like we’re a team that can beat them.
“We have the talent – we just have to be solid offensively and defensively. We have to make them pay when we get turnovers because last time against them we didn’t.”
Launceston finished the home and away season with a 13-7 win-loss record following a sluggish start and losing American Mikaela Ruef to injury.