Montmorency coach Warren Harris says his side is raring to go ahead of its ANZ NFNL Women’s Division 2 preliminary final against VU Western Spurs.
The Magpies enter the game in fine form, following commanding wins over South Morang and La Trobe University in the opening two weeks of the finals series.
The wins followed on from beating then undefeated minor premier West Preston-Lakeside in the last game of the home and away season. The Roosters have since advanced to the grand final, where they await the winner of Sunday’s preliminary final.
Harris believes his side should take plenty of optimism into this week’s do-or-die final, despite being comfortably beaten by the Spurs in both meetings during the year.
“I don’t think we should be going in as the underdogs,” Harris told NFNL.org.au.
“We have been being playing some really good footy and have been scoring very well and that’s exactly what we need to do.
“I think the girls are confident enough now and think that we are a really good chance here.”
Montmorency are not short of talent across all line on the field, but Harris says that it is the younger girls in the side who have taken a big step in the finals series.
“It’s been the girls who have come up from the under-18s from last year who have really started to believe they can fit in and play women’s football,” Harris said.
“Earlier in the year they struggled a little bit as stepping into open age was a big jump.
“Tanisha Giordano, Molly Reinke, Ash Setches and Sarah Townsend are a good example of those younger players who step up in those big moments and that’s what has been pleasing.”
Harris says he is thrilled with how far the side has come since the start of the year, particularly after beginning the season with three-consecutive defeats.
“Our first game of the year against West Preston was tough, especially for the girls who just came up from under 18s,” he said.
“They couldn’t believe who they were playing.
“They were playing woman who were physically stronger and they didn’t mind using their size to their advantage.
“I wouldn’t say the girls were intimidated but it certainly made our girls realise that we are here to play football.
“That was the turning point where we put our heads down and started to play some good footy and have a pretty successful season.”
Despite being aware of the prize on offer for the winner, Harris doesn’t want his players to be overawed by the occasion.
“Nothing changes really as we have just tried to keep it the same as we have all year,” he said.
“To win on the weekend we just need all the girls to play their roles and if we do that then we are capable of beating them.
“We realised after we played West Preston three weeks ago that if we go out and play our role and everyone does what needs to be done then we are capable of beating sides that we haven’t been able to beat.”
