GEELONG Falcons coach Paul Corrigan has urged his team to remain composed during Saturday’s NAB League Girls preliminary final.
The Falcons will meet the GWV Rebels at Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval to decide which ‘Country Zone’ team will feature in next Sunday’s grand final.
“We’ve spoken about how the games are a little bit quicker, and the pressure’s a little bit higher because you’re coming down to the best teams in the comp,” Corrigan said.
“And I said sometimes you might not have as much time as what you might have in the home-and-away season.
“But the way we want to play around the ball and how we move the ball still stays the same.
“It’s just adapting to the fact the game might not be on your terms for the whole game, and you might have to wrestle that back at stages.”
The Falcons will carry plenty of momentum into the clash with the Rebels, who they beat by 10 points in Round 1.
They’re coming off a 35-point win over the Dandenong Stingrays in last week’s elimination final in which they kicked their highest score – 10.12 (72) – of the season.
“They trained really well this week, but I reckon there will be a few nerves there knowing you’re in a prelim and only one step away from the granny next week,” Corrigan said.
“The girls have been really excited this week.”
A concussion suffered by midfielder Ingrid Houtsma in the win over the Stingrays has forced Corrigan into making one change.
Newtown & Chilwell product Sara Howley, who has played just one match this season, has been recalled.
“She’s super excited about her opportunity, which will be great for her,” Corrigan said.
“It’s disappointing for Ingrid copping that knock last week, but the main thing for her is we get her right.
“She takes the 12-day protocol, and hopefully, she keeps improving within those 12 days.
“If we’re fortunate enough to get through on the weekend, hopefully, we’ll see her back in the side next week.”
Houtsma was one of three players Corrigan couldn’t consider, with Mackenzie McGrath (broken nose) and Jess Woods (knee) to miss the rest of the season.
If the Falcons are to advance to the grand final, they will meet either the Oakleigh Chargers or Eastern Ranges in the decider.
Twitter: @tom_king79
NAB LEAGUE GIRLS – PRELIMINARY FINAL
GEELONG FALCONS vs. GWV REBELS
Avalon Airport Oval – Werribee
Saturday, May 8, 12:00pm
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