It might've ended on a low, but Canberra Cavalry manager Michael Collins is confident a tough series against reigning champions Brisbane was the perfect preparation for a knockout final in Perth.
Finishing top two was always a "long shot", but the Cavalry kept their hopes alive until their final game of the regular season when they went down 12-2 to the Bandits at Narrabundah Ballpark on Saturday.
It meant they split the series 2-all after a David Kandilas walk-off home-run gave them a 6-5 win over the Bandits earlier in the day to keep their top-two hopes alive, but when the Perth Heat beat Melbourne 7-5 it meant Canberra finished third.
They have a three-game series against the Heat in Perth, with the winner to face the victor between the Bandits and Melbourne.
The Cavalry could still host a final - if they make it through to the championships series in a fortnight.
Collins was hopeful first-base Boss Moanaroa would be available for all three games in Perth, with work commitments meaning he's only been able to play weekends.
"With the exception of this game, the first three games were all one-run games, close, both teams had every chance. I thought it was a good test and a good preparation for us," Collins said.
"The travel to Perth's not easy, but hopefully we'll leave on Thursday and play Friday. It's a trip we've made plenty of times and know what to expect. I feel good about it."???
The Cavalry got off to a flier in game one of the double header, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first, with Travis Witherspoon, Casey McElroy, David Kandilas and Jay Baum all crossing the plate.
But the runs dried up, until the Bandits got a sniff from a David Sutherland solo home run.
That started Brisbane on a five-run run in the final three innings to make it 5-all and send the game into extra innings.
While Brisbane had all the momentum, up stepped Cavalry outfielder Kandilas with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth.
The second game was a tight affair, with a Donald Lutz solo homer in the top of the third the only thing separating the teams for most of the game.
But the Brisbane offence exploded into life with designated-hitter Mitch Nilsson's three-run bomb and then Logan Wade's solo shot to take the game out of reach of an unusually quiet Cavalry offence.
The only time they threatened Bandits starter Travis Blackley was in the bottom of the second when Canberra loaded the bases, but the former Major League pitcher was able to get out of trouble untouched with a double play.
With word filtering through of Perth's win, Liam Scherer made his ABL debut and struck out former big leaguer Lutz.
The score blew out in the final innings as Collins got some experience into his development players with an eye to the future.
"We set out throughout the series if we had any chances let's try to do it. Obviously going down in the first game, Perth went down [as well and] our chances didn't come until the end there," he said.
"Hopefully they enjoyed it, hopefully it was good experience and something they can continue to work for next year."
Given it wouldn't affect the final standings, Sunday's game - which was a make-up game for a washout in Brisbane in round one - won't be played.
AT A GLANCE
GAME ONE
Brisbane 000 012 200 - 5R 12H 0E
Canberra 400 010 001 - 6R 10H 0E
Cavalry best: David Kandilas (3-5, 1HR, 1RBI), Cam Warner (1-4, 2RBI).
GAME TWO
Brisbane 001 042 5 - 12R 19H 2E
Canberra 000 000 2 - 2R 6H 1E
Cavalry best: Cam Warner (2-3), Kyle Perkins (0-0, 2W).
