KATE Malpass has already achieved incredible success in the SBL with the Willetton Tigers with four championships but anyone who saw her performance last Friday night would know the hunger still burns strong for a fifth title.

Malpass led the Tigers to a semi-final Game 1 victory over the defending champion Rockingham Flames 82-59 at Mike Barnett Sports Complex to leave Willetton one win away from returning to another Grand Final next Friday night.

The Tigers and Flames do battle in Game 2 this Friday night at Willetton Basketball Stadium. If Willetton wins, it's straight to the Grand Final or a loss would see a Game 3 back in Rockingham on Saturday night.

Malpass caught up with the SBL to offer her thoughts on last week's win, the season overall and what keeps driving her on to achieve more despite all the success she's already enjoyed.

QUESTION: Obviously the job’s not done, but the way everything clicked last Friday must have felt great?
ANSWER: We were pretty happy to come away with the win on Friday night. All five losses we had in the regular season were away from home and when you are playing a Friday night semi-final in Rockingham you know the odds are always against you. We have a good group of talent and people that have played together for a while now, so we thought our best shot at winning was to focus on the things we do well and enjoy the game.

Q: Finishing off on your home floor to book another Grand Final on Friday would be special?
A: With our men also playing Friday night I'm sure the Boulevard will be packed with Tigers fans and also Rockingham and Wolves fans. To steal another win would be nice in front of our home crowd.

Q: You had a great game last Friday, did you take any motivation from the ‘head of the snake’ comments during the week?
A: I wouldn't say that. I think you are always motivated to play against arguably the best team in the league. Coming up against four WNBL players is enough to motivate most teams I think, because you already know the only way you are going to win is to work hard for four quarters.

Q: I’m sure everyone knew it was directed at you, at least you know the opposition knows you are dangerous?
A: All season teams have played me pretty tightly, it's nothing new. It has definitely helped me get better and forced me to develop a few more tricks throughout the year. But that's all part of the game. The best thing about playing at Willetton is we trust each other, and if anyone's shots are taken away we have no problem passing the ball to the next person to step up and make the play.

Q: Having so many talented girls alongside you with Lou, Zoe, Des etc. must be great to know the pressure isn’t all on you?
A: That's exactly right. Lou and Zoe are two of the most experienced players in the league, and Desi can be dangerous on any given night. Our biggest strength is our defense, and with Louella protecting the rim, and Lara, Ebony and Desi able to keep up with the best of them it gives us confidence to not take a backwards step against teams no matter what the score line looks like.

Q: Has revenge for last year’s Grand Final been mentioned at all?
A: It hasn't really been mentioned at all to be honest. We lost by four points. We played a good team game, and we have improved defensively this year. We genuinely spend most of our time focusing on our own strengths than the oppositions. Simon doesn't really care too much for watching film etc.

Q: What’s it like playing against Sam? And once you are out there playing, does the white line fever take over?
A: Sami Whitcomb is one of the best players in the country.... It's just unfortunate she plays for Rockingham haha.

Q: You have already had great success in your career at Willetton with 4 championships, 6 club MVP's and 3 All-Star Five point guard selections, what keeps you motivated to try to achieve even more?
A: Willetton has been a great club for me. I played my first game with them in under 16s and have played eight WSBL seasons. Our success has everything to do with our junior program, and our ability to keep players at the club. I won my first WSBL championship with Zoe Harper 15 years ago in 2005, so it's pretty cool that we still get to line up together. I think when you play with some of your best friends, you trust each other, you work for each other and more than anything you are genuinely happy to see each other succeed. It's the best part of the game for me.