The Gators romped their way into the second round of the finals with a brutal elimination final performance last weekend, destroying RMIT Redbacks 70-49 on their home floor.
And they will need to bring that same intensity and then some on Saturday night, as they face a Keysborough side that finished the home-and-away season in second place, and as a result was given a bye last weekend as the finals began.
With his team hitting top form at the right time of year, Shepparton coach Josh Waight said he could not wait for the challenge this three-game series presented.
“We are super pumped to get back out there again this weekend, we love playing in front of our home crowd and to give them another chance to come support us is fantastic,” Waight said.
“Starting off strong (in the series format) is so important, they’ve had the week off so hopefully we can ride our momentum and make it tough for them on our home floor.
“If we can get the win that will then put real pressure on them going back to Keysborough for the next two games, so we see this series opener as a great opportunity.”
Keysborough has been a thorn in the Gators’ side in 2022, sweeping the home-and-away season series with a 88-84 win in round five at Rowville Secondary College and a 82-74 triumph at Shepparton Sports Stadium in round 13.
But with both matches being tight right up to the final buzzer, Waight said he was confident the Gators could turn the tide on the finals stage.
“We have got to realise where their shooters are at all times, they do a really good job of getting inside the key and creating good looks, so our defence is going to have to be on point,” he said.
“Last time we played them they had multiple guys get hot, but if we bring that same heat we did against RMIT I’m confident we can limit their influence.
“There’s no doubt it will be another tight game, and hopefully this time around it’s us that came away on the right side of it.”
With the win over RMIT emerging from a dominant defensive performance, the Gators will be hoping the likes of Tom Frame, Jordan Michel and Matt Andronicos can replicate their heroics from last week.
This time around Gerard Newby will be the man they need to stop, with the Keysborough star averaging 20.81 points per game to be the league’s fourth most prolific scorer.
On the offensive end, US import Garrett Jefferson will be hoping to continue his purple patch, with the athletic small forward proving to be the difference against the Redbacks with a game-high 28 points.
After a capacity crowd got down to Shepparton Sports Stadium to cheer them on last week, Waight said he hoped for a similar atmosphere on Saturday night.
“We love the support we get, so make sure you get down again on Saturday night,” he said.
“The atmosphere of the crowd makes such a big difference and gives the boys such a lift, and hopefully we can bring a grand final series to Shepparton.”
