Hobart Chargers men deliver road trip triple treat to confirm NBL1 credentials
The Hobart Chargers men’s team pulled off a stunning clean sweep in its three-match road trip at the weekend, but the women’s team were unable to follow suit in their matches.
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IT was a triple treat for the Hobart Chargers on the road at the weekend with the men’s team downing the Spectres, Bandits and Raiders to flag their credentials for the NBL1 title.
The Chargers took care of business in their opening game on Friday night, convincingly downing Nunawading 96-74.
Hobart then beat the Albury-Wodonga Bandits 107-90 on Saturday night, before putting the icing on the cake with a 92-87 win over Knox Raiders on Sunday.
“Knox are probably the favourite. They’ve got three current NBL players, two starters, and Adam Gibson as well,” said Chargers coach Anthony Stewart.
“To beat them was massive.”
The women’s team had three losses with coach Mark Nash describing it as a “tough” weekend.
“We are struggling as it is, and then we had the logistics of travel and a few injuries, and it played out that way, as a tough one,” Nash said.
“Some of our younger players stood up for periods. That was a positive.”
Chargers face ultimate championship test
CHARGERS men coach Anthony Stewart knows he has an NBL1 title calibre squad but this weekend’s gruelling road trip will give him a true indication where his side sits in the pecking order.
The addition of Tad Dufelmeier and Jack Purchase in the past three weeks has turned Hobart into one of the most offensively explosive outfits in the competition.
But Stewart will be calling on all his newly acquired depth for a taxing trip which begins in Nunawading Friday night, incorporates a four-hour drive to tackle Albury-Wodonga Saturday night and backs up against Knox on Sunday.
“This weekend is huge for this club, and for this team. We will know, after this weekend, firmly what we’re aiming to achieve before the end of the season,” Stewart said.
“I think last weekend proved that [a big win against Geelong confirmed championship credentials] but Knox are pretty loaded, Albury have won four out of their last five bringing in two NBL players and Nunawading won the championship two years ago, the first NBL1 season and they’ve got the same side.
“Our test will come this weekend and it’ll give us a true indication. We want to give ourselves every chance to finish top two, top three.”
The road trip is the start of a busy week for Chargers players, who are hosting school camps next week.
Spots still remain for Monday and Tuesday at Elizabeth College from 9am to 3pm, but Thursday’s program at Brighton has sold out.
Parents can register children at www.swisherr.com.
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