ACCORDING to Woolgoolga captain/coach Kim Batty, being the rank outsider in the Women’s 1st Division grand final isn’t the worst thing in the world to be.
Last week the Wildcats overcame Urunga in a contest few expected Woolgoolga to win and this Saturday will be the same scenario at C.ex Coffs International Stadium against the undefeated Boambee.
Batty said it’s a situation Woolgoolga is embracing.
“All of the girls seemed really excited at training to just go out there and give it their best shot,” Batty said.
“I don’t think we’ve got anything to lose so we’re just really excited and can’t wait for the game to start.”
It’s a similar situation to last year when the Wildcats almost pulled off a massive upset and pushed Boambee all the way to a penalty shot-out which went the Eagles way.
If it comes down to spot kicks again on Saturday, Batty said Woolgoolga will be more prepared this team.
“Last year it got to penalties and we were a bit unorganised but this week we’ve even practiced taking penalties and we’ve worked out our line up and everything. We’re ready to go,” she said.
“Because we’re organised though it probably won’t happen now.”
Eagles’ coach Glenn Bennett admitted the squad was a little bit surprised by last week’s result and that they expected to be facing Urunga in Saturday’s big dance.
“Woolgoolga got through though and good on them,” Bennett said.
“They obviously did their homework, did well and Urunga to just the one goal. We’ll have to be wary of them and I think it will be a good game.”
Bennett said he changed very little at training for the Eagles this week.
“I tried not to change it too much because it gets people nervous,” he said.
But with two Boambee teams playing on Saturday (Boambee 2 is playing in the Women’s 2nd Division South grand final which kicks off at 12.05pm), it’s an exciting day for the Eagles.
Bennett hopes that having plenty of experience in the team will help the team as they aim to not only defend their undefeated record but win a third straight title.
“We’ve been there and done that and I think this might even be the fifth grand final in a row for them. I know they’ve definitely won five minor premierships in a row,” he said.
“I’ve been the coach the past two years so I know for certain the girls won those two and hopefully we’re going to make it a hat trick on Saturday.”