BENDIGO Bank Spirit are confident they can turn around an unprecedented four-match losing streak around against Melbourne Boomers this weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
After plummeting from second place on the WNBL ladder to sixth in the space of three weeks, the Spirit are facing the prospect of missing the finals for a second straight season.
Not even wins in the team's final five games would guarantee the Spirit a post-season berth, with games to come against Melbourne twice, Townsville (fourth), Canberra (fifth) and Perth (third).
But the playing group under coach Simon Pritchard is remaining resolute, with 2016-17 season recruit Nadeen Payne backing the team to turn their fortunes around quickly, starting this Saturday night against the Boomers.
"It's a big challenge, but we think we can do it," she said.
"We pretty much need to win every game from here until the end of the season to reach finals.
"We can definitely beat Townsville again, we're confident laying Melbourne. Perth will obviously be another big game, but one we'd like to tick off."
Payne conceded the Spirit has not played well in Friday night's 20-point loss to Townsville, but had redeemed themselves somewhat with a sprightly performance against Canberra, albeit in a losing effort.
The former Australian under-17 and under-19 representative said despite the losses the playing group had remained upbeat.
She hoped the improved effort against the Capitals could prove a springboard to a late season revival.
"The Canberra loss hurt more than the Townsville one because we played really well and probably deserved to win that game," she said.
"The playing group is okay, we just need to find our feet again.
"We'll have a good week at training and Melbourne will have targets on them."
The Boomers will enter the clash at Bendigo Stadium on the back of an Australia Day eve loss after losing to Dandenong Rangers 78-68.
While the Spirit are without a win since the Christmas break, Pritchard could find fault with the form of Payne.
The forward was one of the Spirit's best against Canberra, contributing 10 points and eight rebounds.
"Her shooting has really picked up since the break and we need to get her more shots," he said.
