PRESSURE:Spirit centre Gabe Richards is confronted by Townsville's defence in last month's match at Bendigo Stadium. Picture: JODIE DONNELLAN
Townsville Fire will be a force to be reckoned with in Sunday’s WNBL grand final, says chairwoman Jayne Arlett.
The Fire is bringing more than 200 supporters to Bendigo Stadium to take on the Bendigo Bank Spirit.
Arlett said her team and supporters weren’t making the more than seven-hour trip to make up the numbers.
“We’ve got more than 200 Townsville supporters coming down for the game,” Arlett said yesterday.
“We’ll do what we can to be a force to be reckoned with on and off the court. Get ready!”
The Fire is sticking with its winning formula from last Sunday’s preliminary final against Dandenong by travelling early.
Townsville arrives in Melbourne tomorrow and will come to Bendigo on Saturday, with plans to have a training session at Bendigo Stadium.
Despite the travel factor – the team has played in Bendigo, Adelaide and Dandenong over the past three weekends – the Fire has been buoyed by the support of its local community.
“It has been fantastic,” media manager Claudia Brassard said.
“The team had 50 or so fans at the airport yesterday to greet them.
“Facebook and Twitter have being going wild.”
The club opened its training session to fans last night and several hundred people were expected.
The City of Townsville is holding a civic reception for the team today, with the Fire hoping to raise more funds to help cover its travel costs.
Before the Dandenong game, the Fire received donations of more than $10,000 from local businesses, supporters and NRL club North Queensland Cowboys.
Barring any training incidents, Townsville will bring a full-strength squad to Bendigo after Rachael Flanagan got through last weekend’s game.
Flanagan suffered an eye injury in the win against Adelaide Lightning the previous week.
The grand final tips off at 3.45pm.