It will be high stakes when the Ballarat Miners take on rivals Geelong Supercats in Saturday night’s South East Australian Basketball League clash, with the winner progressing to a preliminary final and the loser eliminated.

Short said while a qualifying final loss to Nunawading in overtime in Melbourne had been disappointing, the Ballarat Miners were looking forward to a second chance in front of a home crowd.

With games against Geelong typically blockbusters during the regular season, Short expected a final to be not only an incredible experience for the players, but also the community.

“We’re probably going to sell out the Minerdome and for a lot of the guys to play in front of a full house in their home gym it’s going to be a great experience,” he said.

“At home it just gives us that extra boost that we need… the fans cheer and clap the little things that you would not normally see.

“The noise they make and the energy they create when something goes our way or potentially doesn’t go our way, it makes us perform to a whole new level – we love it.”

Short can recall the atmosphere at the Minerdome during last year’s finals series and the conference final in particular.

He described having the chance to do it all again as “pretty special”.

But with Geelong hitting some form late in the season and boasting strong shooting talent, Short said he was ready for a tough game.