IRYMPLE is treating today’s crucial round 14 game against the unbeaten Wentworth as any other as they keep their sights on a top four finish.
Irymple coach Tammie Rowe said her team felt up for the challenge this week, aiming not to get distracted by Wentworth’s consistent form.
“For us the challenge will be to stay on track, stick to playing our game and not get caught up in their game,” she said.
“It is pretty easy to (get caught up) when you’re against a team as good as Wentworth.”
Irymple competed against first-placed Wentworth for the first time in round five, losing 75-32.
The team last week came up against third-placed Ouyen United, losing by six goals, and previously, second-placed Mildura, losing by only one goal.
Rowe said Irymple had become a lot more settled during this half of the season, showing improvement on the court against the tough teams.
“Going from playing Mildura carrying through to Ouyen (United) we felt a bit more settled, less changes on the court as well has helped,” she said.
“Even though we did lose to Ouyen United (when previously the teams had drawn in round 4), we did play a really good game and the same for when we played Mildura, the second half was strong, so we want to carry that momentum throughout.”
After this round, Irymple will face seventh-placed Merbein, sixth-placed Imperials and eighth-placed Red Cliffs, hoping to secure a few more wins before finals to bump up their ladder position.
Another strong finals contender is South Mildura, currently in the fourth spot that Irymple is eyeing off.
South has a tougher run home coming up against Mildura, Ouyen United and Wentworth in the next few rounds, however, could secure themselves another win today against ninth-placed Robinvale Euston.
Rowe said while the team was eager to make finals, they were not getting ahead of themselves.
“I think the main focus will be taking each week as it comes and making sure we achieve the goals we make for that week,” she said.
“When you add (the goals) up over the course of the season that is what actually gets you a finals appearance.”
Wentworth coach Amanda Edwards said she had noticed improvement in Irymple since the start of the season.
“When we played them last time we had a really good win but I know they have improved a lot,” she said.
“I have been watching and looking at stats from their previous games and they have definitely increased and taken it some of the top teams like Ouyen United and Mildura.
“I have no doubt they will come out firing (today).”
Edwards said it was important to take the season week by week, as the final teams were not yet determined.
“We are not sure who we might be seeing (in the finals), so each week is so important for us,” she said.
“(We are) taking it week by week and hopefully, once finals come around, we can just keep doing what we have been doing really well.”
Edwards said Wentworth was feeling really good about the season and were continuing to better themselves each week.
In today’s other games, Mildura take on Red Cliffs at Brian Weightman Oval and Ouyen United are up against Imperials at Blackburn Park.
