NO fear. That's the attitude Crocodile Greg Vanderjagt says Townsville must adopt when the imposing shadow of NBL title favourites Perth is cast across at The Swamp tomorrow night.

Two games into the campaign and the West Australians have already created an aura of intimidation stretching league wide.

Crushing wins over Adelaide and expected fellow high flyers Melbourne will do that.

So much so that many are giving Townsville no hope. Despite the Crocs having lost just once in their past 14 regular season games at the venue, including victory over the Wildcats in the last meeting there, one betting agency has them at a staggering $4.50 to clinch victory.

But if the players are worried about such things they sure aren't showing it. A cautious confidence is probably the best way to describe the mood around the Crocodiles' Wulguru training club this week.

"Everyone around the league is saying right now that Perth are a step ahead of everyone else and it's probably true, but that is where we have got to take it as a challenge and step up - meet that challenge full on," Vanderjagt said.

"If we come in with the attitude that they're better than us and we're intimidated then it's not going to end well.

"You'd find yourself on the back foot before the game's even started with that attitude. But it's exciting, it's challenging and you always want to play the best ... this is a great opportunity for us."

And a great opportunity for Vanderjagt individually.

Here on a short-term deal to replace injured Luke Schenscher, the 213cm centre will have a mountain of responsibility, in conjunction with Ben Allen, on his shoulders in trying to contain Perth giants Luke Nevill and Matt Knight.

The Wildcats' front court ability to dominate scoring in the paint and clean up the boards is a big part of their ability to intimidate.

"There are some bigger bodies out there and we really need to neutralise them," Vanderjagt said.

It's part of where Perth embarrassed Townsville in the pre-season, collectively thumping the Crocs by 60 points in two games.

"The Wildcats are deep in every position, especially in the front court, not only with Nevill and Knight, but also Jesse Wagstaff who is now a Boomer and (Shawn) Redhage, who is probably one of the top five players in the league," said Vanderjagt.

"It's a huge challenge for our whole front court ... to help our team win the game." But the Wildcats, for all their brilliance so far, have also been warned against waltzing in and expecting an easy time tomorrow.

Todd Blanchfield - one of the few highlights from those dismal practice matches - reckons Perth will be in for a rude shock if they stroll into Townsville expecting to meet the same Crocodiles.

"That was five weeks ago and we've had five weeks of good practice - we know each other a lot better than we did in the pre-season ... so this will be our best opportunity this weekend in front of our home crowd," Blanchfield said.

"I think (Perth) will see a bit of a different team."