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STAR import Dyami Starks has backed the Bendigo Braves to come out all guns blazing as they urgently seek a SEABL form turnaround against the Frankston Blues on Friday night.
A loss last weekend to the Canberra Gunners sent the Braves packing from the top four for the first time in five weeks, placing their finals hopes in jeopardy.
With five games remaining in the regular season, the Braves (9-10) trail the North West Tasmania Thunder (10-9), who assumed their place in the four, by one win.
The Braves and Thunder are on course for a showdown on July 29 at Bendigo Stadium.
But Starks said that would count for nothing if the Braves could not get over the top of the Blues and also the Sandringham Sabres back in Bendigo on Saturday night.
"These two teams are below us on the ladder, but we need to come prepared like we are playing Mount Gambier, Nunawading or Hobart," he said.
"If we come ready to play like we do against those top teams there's no doubt in my mind we'll get the two wins."
Entering the weekend on the back of three straight losses, Starks said winning all five remaining games was a definite team goal.
"The good thing is those games are (south) conference games, we get to play North West Tassie at home," he said.
"If we can beat them by a larger points spread than they beat us, if a tie goes it's going to go in our favour.
"The next five games, specifically these conference games are going to be very important."
A 49-point effort against the Gunners has rocketed Starks to the top of the league scoring averages at 23.2pppg.
The American also leads the foul shooting percentages (96.7 per cent), having missed only two of 61 attempts this season.
Ever the team player, Starks said he would have gladly traded his 49 points for a victory.
"The object of the game is to score points and when you score a lot of points individually it definitely feels good," he said.
"But when you don't put that together with a win it's kind of bittersweet - it's a little more bitter than sweet.
"If I can get (22 points), 18, hell I could take 10 points if we get a win."
Tip-off for the men’s game on Saturday night at Bendigo Stadium is 8pm.