MILDURA will be looking to target Wentworth’s whole-court strengths to overcome the unbeaten side in today’s qualifying final.
The top two teams will fight it out at Kenny Park to determine who will head to the grand final, and who will have a second chance at redemption next weekend.
Mildura, who have only seen defeat this season from Wentworth, will have their work cut out for them when they compete against the Roos, who have kept huge margins between themselves and their opponents this season.
Demons’ playing co-coach Jess McNamara said her side was looking forward to stepping up against the Roos.
“We are excited and keen to play another game against Wentworth and see where they are at,” she said.
“They are a fantastic side so it is just about how we are going to play against them, and hopefully what we have been working on in training pays off.”
Wentworth’s playing coach Amanda Edwards has been a key player for her team, regularly capitalising on opportunities inside the goal circle.
McNamara said the team definitely had plans to try and slow Edwards, but were more focused on whole-court strategies.
“I think the whole team is a strong side, even though Amanda is a key player, I give Wentworth their credit,” she said.
“(In) each section of the court they have strengths, so it is not just Amanda, it is throughout the whole court we have to have our plays and tactics to be able to hopefully bring some good competition on Saturday.”
Wentworth have kept their winning margins big this season. The smallest margin was achieved by Ouyen United in round 11, where they lost by only nine points.
Mildura previously lost to Wentworth by 20 points in round 10 and by 28 in round one.
Edwards said despite Wentworth’s win streak and large margins, the grand final could be won by anyone.
“Obviously (we are) happy with how the season has went, but moving forward, finals are a totally different game now, we don’t look at what we have just done, now we just look forward and take each game as it comes,” she said.
“(The premiership) is up for grabs to everyone because finals are a totally different game so it will really come down to who holds the ball well under pressure and delivers on the day.”
Edwards said Wentworth were “really excited” to be coming up against Mildura again.
“I think it is going to be a really great match up, we match up really well on them,” she said.
“They have great youth so I expect them to come out really fast and hungry, so it will be our intensity and our full pressure defence that we apply and hopefully we can do that and get a good win.”
Edwards said Wentworth would have all of their rostered eight available for the game.
McNamara said there was a possibility of her side being down one or two players due to illness.
