Inside the Final Four with Sharks coach Judd Flavell

SIT Zero Fees Southland Sharks Head Coach Judd Flavell, on the challenge ahead of his team this weekend in the 2018 Sal’s NBL Final 4 and on why Southland is the best place to hoop in New Zealand.

Photo: Southland Sharks coach Judd Flavell. Pic: Southland Sharks

“This weekend is why we all do what we do.

We have worked hard all season to put ourselves in a great spot like this, alongside three other teams, that will equally feel they have a right to win this thing.

We are ready to go and excited.

When I look at the 2018 Sharks and what we’ve done throughout the season to date, it’s a great group - a balanced team which on its night is able to beat anybody and dictate the terms of how the game is played.

The key focus this week has been on making sure we do all the preparation we can, because the Saints, Giants and Hawks have all got plenty of firepower and will all be feeling exactly the same way.

The fun thing about the weekend is all three games are going to be exciting and, in my mind, whoever pulls through Saturday the best and is able to get back up on their feet and get ready for the biggest game of the year on Sunday, will get to raise the NBL trophy.

There’s no margin for error with these four teams. It’s going to be tight and it will go down to the wire.

If the intent from the guys isn’t there in Saturday’s semi-final against Nelson, then I don’t know what’s going to get them there.

We will bring the intensity. Our week has focused on fine-tuning some of the things we want to do defensively with our schemes and coverages and making sure there’s clarity across all the guys.

Offensively, I want us to play free and flow and continue to back ourselves like we have done all season.

If we are able to keep the scoreboard ticking offensively, the dynamics of the game changes.

The pressure goes onto the opposition, like it did for us on Sunday when Nelson got hot from the start and we were in a hole and playing a different ball game.

What can you say about Southland?

This is by far the best place to come as a “hoop-er” or as a coach to further your skills and your craft and it’s the perfect environment to achieve all that you can.

We have the fans, the venue, the resources and the people. What more could we want?

We’re lucky, spoilt even. Sometimes we don’t know it until you are not in this situation anymore.

We never take it for granted and we appreciate all the support from every member of our community.

Thank you. Now, let’s go get it!”