Can Hobart make a late-season Finals push?

Feature image via: Ian Knight

Hobart Chargers men’s head coach Anthony Stewart says this weekend’s double-header for his team will be critical in making a Finals run. 

In a challenging 86-63 loss to the Sandringham Sabres last weekend, the Chargers had a horrific shooting performance, making only 28.4 percent of their 81 field goals. 

Stewart explained that both his star imports Terrell Brown and Vionte Daniels had an off night by their own high standards. 

“Two imports went 6-40, I reckon it’s a fair chance if they fell out of a boat, they wouldn’t be able to hit the water. That’s how bad it really was,” he told Chargers media. 

“We have to find other ways to score and be patient. If things aren’t going to you on your night, you have to make the team better in other places.” 

The 2022 NBL1 South championship coach explained the team didn’t take bad shots, but some nights the ball just isn’t going to land for certain players.

“You’re not gonna hit shots every night, I had the NBL record for 15 years for the most missed shots in a game,” the two-time NBL champion said.

“You are going to have those sorts of nights, it’s how you get other people involved and make the team better.” 

This week’s practices have revolved around this issue, leaning further on big man Ole Angerstein’s inside presence to open up the floor for Brown and Daniels. 

With this adjustment and three-time NBL champion Clint Steindl only a week away, the Chargers will be ready to take on their Round 11 opponents in the Mount Gambier Pioneers and Geelong United.

“If we can stay healthy, we are a chance to finish in the playoffs,” he said. 

“This weekend is huge for us… We are hopeful to split it. Then our next three home games are against teams in the bottom four,  so we can set ourselves up nicely. 

“We can redeem ourselves on the road this weekend.” 

Watch the seventh-seeded Chargers take on the Pioneers on Friday night, streaming live from 8:00pm ACST Live & Free via Kayo Freebies. They will then take on Geelong on Saturday, from 7:00pm AEST via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App.