The Hawks boast the league's best home record (13-1), but Campbell doesn't want to return to "Fortress Sandpit" - aka the WEC - facing a do-or-die game three.

"In finals you don't know how it's going to turn out for you, we'll be going into Wednesday hoping to end the series there and then," Campbell said. "Any win is a real good win, to get a road win for the confidence would be great for us."

Campbell expects the Crocs to unleash an early assault when their season goes on the line.

"This time of year you can't dwell on what goes wrong - if they're good enough mentally they'll be able to bounce back," he said.

"They will rally, they will be very loud and that will help them get off to a better start. We've got to go up there prepared for the crowd and how physical they're going to be."

While the Hawks have been almost unbeatable at home this season, their shabby 3-11 away record is the worst of the NBL's semi-finalists.

However, one of those precious triumphs came in Townsville, last November.

"We have won there this season, which gives us some confidence," Campbell said.

Campbell - who with Glenn Saville is the only holdover from the 2001 championship team - was pleased with how the Hawks' play-off rookies handled their first foray into finals basketball.

"The good thing was to have that home final first, it was a good way to get the monkey off the back for the guys who have not played finals basketball before," Campbell said.

One of those post-season newbies - rookie Tim Coenraad - echoed his captain's concerns about facing a desperate Crocodiles team and his desire to bring the series to a swift end.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Townsville shoot the ball much better, that's just what you do on your home floor," Coenraad said.

"Every team is more comfortable on their home floor.

"We have to bring it on the road because we have beaten this team on the road and hopefully we can finish this thing in two and get a bit of a rest."