BELINDA Snell hopes a fast start against the Fire will help silence the vocal Townsville crowd in Sunday's WNBL grand final.
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The Australian Pork Bendigo Spirit are chasing an historic three-peat against its arch rivals, but Snell believes the Fire are the favourites to take the crown.
Snell, in her first season with Bendigo, said after having an outstanding year on court, the Fire earned the right to have the favourites tag.
"They smashed us a couple of weeks ago and they will have the home court advantage, so they will go into the game favourites," she said.
"We will go over the tape from that game and see what we can do better and I think if we can execute well as a team and defend well then that will go a long way in us winning."
Snell admits it will be a tough match, with the Fire creating a fortress in Townsville this season, having won 11 of their 12 matches at home.
The 34-year-old said a fast start was crucial.
"We have been inconsistent this season, we have been good in some games and woeful in others, but the good thing about this group is that we don't rely on the same people," Snell said.
"We have good depth, you just have to look at Jane Chalmers and see the impact she had on last week's game."
Snell said winning the big possessions and locking out star players Cayla Francis and Suzy Batkovic would be the key to winning the match.
"Our defensive efforts will have to be big," she said.
"We have to get those loose balls and make sure we get those big rebounds."
Snell said playing in the grand final is what every player in the WNBL strives to achieve.
She said the Bendigo Spirit would lay it all on the court on Sunday and hopefully return home with the championship trophy in their hands.
"This is why you play the game," Snell said.
"I have really enjoyed this season and now I am just excited to get out there and play."
The grand final will be played at Townsville RSL Stadium on Sunday at 3pm with ABC 1 showing the game live.