A number of JackJumpers will get a taste of the bitter rivalry between the Hobart Chargers and North West Tasmania Thunder tonight, when the sides face off in final round of NBL1 South at the Kingborough Sports Centre.
It will be the first time Thunder players Matt Kenyon, Fab Krslovic and Sean Macdonald will face off against Chargers Jarred Bairstow and Sam McDaniel. The sides only other meeting was in round one, when the JackJumpers were in the NBL Grand final series.
Embed from Getty ImagesJackjumpers teammates Matt Kenyon, Jarred Bairstow and Fab Krslovic will play against each other in tonight Chargers v Thunder game.
Finals aspirations also are going on the line tonight, with the result to play a huge part in the final outcome of both teams 2022 NBL seasons. The Chargers currently sit in 1st place (16-5) but coach Anthony Stewart wasn’t not holding back on the importance of tonight’s game.
“If we can’t take care of the Thunder at home on our home floor, with a top spot up for grabs, then we don’t deserve to win the championship,” Stewart said.
“A win will consolidate top spot, where a loss will probably put us third or forth and first round of finals would be on the road, potentially go back to Mt Gambier for the first qualifying final which we don’t want to do if we can help it.
The Thunder meanwhile sit in 11th spot (10-11) and will need to win tonight plus other results to fall thier way to grab the 8th and final spot in the finals.
“There is nothing they would love than to dent our season and make us work to win the championship and at the same time keep them alive,” Stewart said.
“From our point of view the last thing we want is to see the North West Thunder in the eight, as far as trying to knock them out. The rivalry is real, it has been for years and that’s why people come and watch these sort of games.”
Chargers hope to return to mid season form
After winning 12 straight games, the Chargers have lost two of ther last three games including a loss at home to Sandringham. Key players Sam MacDaniel and Harry Froling missed the game due to NBL training commitments, but will rejoin the side for tonight’s game.
“Harry’s been an unbelievable leader for this group, we really missed him (last week). He just helps stretch the floor you can’t leave him, he’s 6’10”, he’s a big body. With him and Sam coming back, its going to be a great game,” Stewart said.
