Suzy Batkovic says it won't be another episode of "the Lizzy show" when the Townsville mainstay locks horns with Melbourne's Liz Cambage in Saturday's WNBL grand final series opener.
The 37-year-old has the tough task of slowing the MVP favourite, who leads the league in points (23.4) and rebounds (10.5) per game.
But the Fire veteran sits third and second in those categories herself, meaning much of the pre-series hype has revolved around the pair's head-to-head battle.
The three-time Olympian knows she has a job on her hands, but says it's another Boomer who may prove more influential in the three-game series.
"I think it is one key, but we're not just focused on Liz," she said.
"I think Jenna O'Hea is huge for them, I think that's their biggest key as their captain, their leader.
"Liz is a big body, she's going to get hers (points and rebounds) but it's not just the Lizzy show."
Townsville powered by second-placed Sydney while minor premiers Perth were toppled by the Boomers, meaning the top two-ranked sides failed to qualify for the grand final for only the second time in the league's history.
Broadcast demands meant both lower-ranked teams hosted the opening game of their three-match series, a situation that will be examined after the Australian Basketballers' Association expressed its concern on behalf of the players.
Conveniently for the Fire, that format will revert back to a normal arrangement for the grand final series as higher-ranked Townsville host the first and third game, if required, next Sunday.
"It's huge; game one is definitely a big key and us having it at home is definitely going to help us," Batkovic said.
Townsville beat the Boomers in all three regular-season games between the sides this season and, having made five of the past six grand finals series, are chasing a third title in four years.
They also boast former grand final MVPs Mia Murray and Micaela Cocks on a deep bench, while Batkovic's fellow front-court partner Cayla George tormented Melbourne with 17 points and 21 rebounds in round one.
But O'Hea has shaped the Boomers into a league-leading defensive unit and Boomers coach Guy Molloy hasn't been scared to bench Cambage and play small ball when needed this year, in a sign that neither outfit will rely solely on their star centres.
WNBL GRAND FINAL SERIES
Townsville Fire v Melbourne Boomers
* Game 1 in Townsville, Saturday January 13
* Game 2 in Melbourne, Thursday January 18
* Game 3 (if required), in Townsville, Sunday January 21
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