Chargers aim to keep three-game streak rolling on winnable weekend road double

Hobart has enjoyed a positive first month of the NBL1 season, but must keeping banking wins with coach Anthony Stewart expecting a vastly different-looking competition in second half of the season.

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CONTINUING to bank early-season NBL1 wins will be vital for Hobart, with coach Anthony Stewart expecting an influx of NBL talent in the second half of the campaign.

The youthful Chargers (4-2) are riding a three-match winning streak as they head to Melbourne for their second road trip of the season against Dandenong and Sandringham.

A pair of away victories is a genuine possibility, with Dandenong (1-6) only opening its account last Sunday and the Sabres sitting last on the ladder with a 1-5 record.

Ensuring complacency does not creep in is Stewart’s main focus, as he casts an eye to the end of the NBL season when a plethora of players will drop back a level.

Hobart Charger Jonathon Mines has been a key player in Hobart’s strong start to the NBL1 season. Picture: Linda Higginson

“We just have to make sure we continue to deliver what we have on the first six games of the season and compete well and keep focused and working through our systems,” Stewart said.

“When we do that, as we saw in the first quarter the other night, we can be damaging for a young group.

“The biggest challenge right now is making sure the kids stayed focused, you see after a couple of wins the intensity drops off at training and it is a lot more energy from coaches to keep them on track.

“As of yesterday, I spoke to an agent that said there is a lot of NBL players coming back to load up teams in the back half of the season.

“Geelong with Shea Ili and Sam McDaniel, they were going to have Jack White as well, they will basically be an NBL team.

“Knox Raiders with the rumours out there around Reuben Te Rangi, [Yudai] Baba from Melbourne United and [Yanni] Wetzell and Adam Thoseby.

“Frankston has David Andersen and Daniel Trist coming back from New Zealand as well.

“Most of these teams are going to load up in the second half and really put a different look on the competition.”

Sharna Thompson in action for the Hobart Chargers against the Eagles last Friday night. Picture: Linda Higginson

Fresh from snapping their five-match losing skid to open the 2021 season, the women will be looking to continue building momentum.

Despite the breakthrough, coach Mark Nash was less than impressed with a dismal first half against Diamond Valley, aware improvement is required.

“It [the win] hasn’t necessarily taken away that feeling that our best is still well and truly ahead of us,” Nash said.

“Couple of tough games on the road this weekend and we will keep working on things.”

Nash also confirmed American Kathleen Scheer will not feature, finally shutting the door on his import who is unable to get into Australia due to quarantine.

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