If they win their games against Sydney and Townsville this weekend, they have all but assured second place on the WNBL ladder. 

Lose both games and their hopes of winning their third-straight championship start to fade. 

Coach Bernie Harrower knows how important this weekend is for the Australian Pork Bendigo Spirit. 

"We can't afford to lose these games," he said. 

"We lose both and we will be making up the numbers in the finals."

Harrower said the Bendigo needed to lift its game to be a title contender come finals time. 

"We have had three losses in the past six games and those wins have come against bottom two sides," he said. 

"There is a lot of pride among our girls, so we will need to stand up and be counted for."

The last time Bendigo faced Sydney, the Flames were able to get on top. 

Harrower said he and the team were determined to score the win. 

"We had a good start the last time we played them and then our attitude let us down and we let the game slip," he said. 

"We cannot walk on the floor and just expect to win. 

"We need to work hard for 40 minutes and have good defensive pressure." 

The Spirit take on the Flames at Brydens Stadium on Saturday at 7pm and then host the Fire at the Bendigo Stadium on Sunday at 6pm.