FEW teams can boast holding fond memories of their time at Rockhampton's home court.

The QBL defending champions are a goliath in front of their fans and it took an amazing final quarter turnaround last season from the Marlins to break what was a 56-game winning streak at Hegvold Stadium.

Kerry Williams’ buzzer beater silenced the traditionally intimidating home crowd and allowed the visitors to have the last laugh.

It has been much the same story this season for the third-placed Rockets and the Marlins know not even their best performance tonight may be good enough to give them the points.

"We’ve taken some pretty good squads in there in years gone by and not got the win," Dwayne Vale said.

"It’s so tough there, their record was an amazing feat and the atmosphere and set-up they have there is awesome."

Vale is enjoying a career best season, averaging more than 20 points, seven rebounds and two assists a game.

He will be called on to pull his weight again, while Dean Brebner and fellow big Patrick Donald must work overtime off the boards.

"That’ll be the focus cause they’ll wipe the glass clean if we aren’t doing a great job rebounding," Vale said.

The Marlins will give away some height but plan to use their superior speed to work their way into the clash.

And any worries of another flat performance can be forgotten, Vale assured.

"We were off last weekend, but still got the win. We can’t afford to be like that again and I know I won’t have any problem getting up for it; every game for us now is like a play-off game."

A defeat of top-of-the-table Gold Coast has been the highlight of three-straight wins, but the Marlins still only cling to seventh spot in what has been a tough campaign.

The Marlins will back up tonight’s game with a rematch with Port City in Gladstone tomorrow night.

"It’s always a tough ask to back up like that but we need results so we will have to be ready to go again," Vale said.

Meanwhile, Dolphins centre Cayla Francis believes she has done enough to retain her place in the Australian squad for the looming home series against the Chinese, she just hopes the selection committee see it that way as well.

Currently in training with the Australian Universiade side in Canberra, Francis was hopeful of keeping her spot for the series that includes a game at the Dolphins’ home court on Aumuller St on July 30.

Games against the Japanese national side today and tomorrow only serve as another chance to prove her worth, especially considering seven current Opals are among the university squad.

Without any feedback on her standing in the side, Francis will play the waiting game until the side is picked.

"I’m happy with how I went, I just know it would be awesome to play in front of a home crowd and play that Chinese team," she said.

She will be missing for the Dolphins this weekend when they head south for a tough double against Rockhampton and Gladstone, the latter of which they knocked off last Friday in Cairns.

Rohanee Cox and Naomi Pedro and Juliana Paunovic must shoulder the extra load in scoring and rebounding if they are to be competitive in either game.