IT'S just round two, but Australian Pork Bendigo Spirit tips off a huge weekend in Saturday's home-court basketball clash with Canberra Capitals.
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A big afternoon at Bendigo Stadium willl the unfurling of Spirit's second WNBL championship banner before play in the ABC telecast game begins at 3pm.
"It's a massive weekend for us," Bendigo coach Bernie Harrower said on Friday.
"Canberra's transition game is very good. They were able to to get a lot of cheap baskets last weekend.
"A key will be to slow the game down.
"Every aspect of the game will be important. A big focus will be on rebounding.
Every aspect of the game will be important. A big focus will be on rebounding.
"Controlling the boards will go a long way to stopping Canberra's quick move from defence to attack."
There will be many exciting battles to be played out on the Marong Road showcourt.
Spirit centre Gabe Richards is likely to start against Abby Bishop, while Capitals guard Kristen Veal is in fine form.
The Capitals line-up includes Jess Bibby, Steph Talbot and Hanna Zavecz opposed to Bendigo stars Belinda Snell, Kelsey Griffin, Kristi Harrower, Maddie Garrick and Sara Blicavs.
Harrower said despite a first-up loss in Townsville, Spirit worked extremely hard to fight back from a slow start.
"A trait of ours is never give up."
Spirit is on the road for Sunday's match against Melbourne Boomers at the State Basketball Centre from 1pm.
"The Boomers will be fired up after a nil-two start to the season. And it's their only game of the weekend," said Harrower.