Warrnambool Seahawks can knock off the Big V's top two division one sides in a double-header this weekend despite ongoing injury concerns to key players, says coach Tim Gainey.
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None of Josh Dean (hamstring), James Mitchell (knee), Ollie Bidmade or Matt Rea (ankle) could pass a fitness test at Warrnambool's training on Thursday.
But Gainey said the Seahawks, currently seventh with an 8-11 record, were capable of upsetting both Sunbury Jets (first) away on Saturday and Western Port Steelers (second) at home on Sunday.
"I don't see any reason why we can't win both games," he said.
"Winning both would put us in a great position.
"Whereas we're back to playing week by week if we split the games, and if we drop both then making play-offs become unlikely."
The Seahawks lost to Sunbury Jets 59-71 in round two, but knocked off Western Port Steelers 85-69 in round 10.
"We've got to control the tempo of the game," Gainey said.
"If we can do that, we'll probably be there at the end.
"I think we look great when we control the tempo, but sometimes we have a couple of plays where we might rush shots, or swing the ball around to get the defence moving.
"And the best teams can take advantage of that."
Gainey, 36, who has missed just one minute of game-time in the Seahawks' last six games, said his body was in "great nick" despite his age.
But he said Xavier Johnson-Blount and Alex Gynes would again hold the key to Warrnambool's success.
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