Above: Chantella Perera runs Townsville’s Amy Lewis off a Sam Woosnam screen during the Rangers 70-64 win at Stud Road on Sunday.
By Paul Pickering
DANDENONG is set to host its first WNBL final in five years next week, but coach Mark Wright says the Rangers are looking no further than a final-round date with Bulleen on Saturday night.
The Rangers cruised to a 70-54 win over Townsville at Stud Road on Sunday and are all-but assured of finishing in fourth spot, regardless of the result in the Melbourne derby this weekend.
That would set up a cut-throat elimination final at Dandenong next Wednesday night.
But Wright says the chance to deny Bulleen – Dandenong’s bitter rival and nemesis in recent years – top spot will keep the Rangers sharp on the eve of their first finals appearance in three seasons.
The Boomers must win to hold second-placed Canberra at bay, while only a bizarre series of results would rob Dandenong of fourth position.
“Bulleen are going to come with everything they’ve got, because they need to secure top spot,” Wright said. “And, while it’s probably not going to affect us one way or the other, we want to win to go into the finals with some form.”
Wright did, however, admit that he will consider resting one or both of his star players, Kath MacLeod and Abby Bishop, for Saturday night’s game.
MacLeod is battling a niggling knee problem and Bishop continues to play with an injured foot.
“There is a massive temptation not to play one or both of those players, so we’re going to make an informed decision based on how they pull up,” Wright said.
MacLeod (14 points, nine assists) and Bishop (10 points) were down on their usual point production against the Fire, but role players Alison Downie (13) and Lauren King (12) picked up the slack as the home side bounced back from a first-quarter deficit. “I thought Townsville did very well to make life hard for us early on, but I was rapt that Kingy and Al Downie stepped up and did a great job for us,” Wright said.
Former Ranger Rachael Flanagan (18) and Amy Lewis (12) were the main scoring threats for Townsville, which was coming off a 91-45 drubbing at the hands of Bulleen the previous night.
Dandenong is now 12-9 for the season, while Logan (11-10), Sydney (10-10) and Townsville (9-9) will fight it out for the other remaining finals berth this weekend.
The Rangers and Boomers will clash from 7.30pm at Dandenong Stadium on Saturday night.
