Southside Mitsubishi Redbacks’ president Gary Prior was over the moon with the enthusiastic crowd that attended the men’s and women’s Round 13 qualifying games between the Redbacks and Mandurah Magic on Saturday evening.

“From the Redbacks’ angle it was a highly successful weekend,” Prior said. “It was great to play in front of such a strong crowd, which I estimate was more than 450 people - there was a real buzz in the air after the game.

“It was a bit out of the ordinary taking a home game to a country town, it’s something we haven’t done before, but I’m hopeful we can stage a similar event again next year.

“Mandurah’s senior coach approached me at the end of the game and said if we do hold a game in Albany next season they want to be part of it again.

“Ultimately, I’d love to see another Albany team competing in the SBL in the near future.”

In the women’s game, Redbacks beat Mandurah 69-56, while in the men’s contest the Perth side won 115-98.