Four games without Opals-occupied Chantel Horvat starts with a road-home double-header for the Hoop City Geelong United Supercats Women.
Matthew Paton’s roster will head across the South Australian border on Friday for a return match-up with Mt Gambier (3rd, 11-4) before returning to Geelong Arena for the lone meeting with Eltham (8th, 8-7).
Coach Paton says Horvat’s absence won’t be an excuse if United can’t get it done this weekend.
“It’s the nature of the league,” he said. “Last time we played Mt Gambier, they were severely depleted with no (Miela) Goodchild, no (Imogen) Rock and no (Cassandra) Brown, and they still took it right up to us on our home floor.
“We have every intention of doing exactly the same to them.”
NBL1 MEN | UNITED WITH EYES ON PIONEERS
Horvat’s absence opens the door for Jess Scannell to return to the starting lineup, with extra minutes likely for Nyidier Riak and Georgia Cox across the next fortnight.
“It provides an opportunity for those girls who have been toiling away against the likes of Chantel all year,” Paton said.
“This is where the development aspect really comes in for them; they can now show their wares.”
Eltham has also been impacted by Opals’ selection, with Anneli Maley (16.8ppg, 15.3rpg) also in Sydney for the FIBA Asia Cup.
Friday night’s match-up with Mt Gambier will be shown live on Kayo Freebies via https://bit.ly/3XflCe7
Tickets for Sunday’s game day against Eltham are selling fast via bit.ly/3JspNN5
