Wrapping up their 2024 campaign on the road, Waalitj Marawar take on Sydney at Henson Park on Saturday, and coach Daisy Pearce said that while finals is off the table, there’s still plenty to take out of this final matchup.
“It will be important, we’ve had a strong start to the year and have continued to build and grow,” Pearce said.
“We’ve actually had a really good couple of weeks on the track so we’re really hungry for another opportunity to go out and play four quarters of footy.
“In a short comp, even with finals out of the question now, there’s so much to be gained from the opportunity we have this week.
“Sydney will be a really tough opposition, but we will be going after it and tipping everything in to try and get our fifth win.”
With her first season as senior coach coming to an end, Pearce reflects on the improvements she’s seen from the team in her time at the helm so far.
“I think our contest method, our ability to compete in that area of the game across sustained periods,” Pearce said.
“We feel like we’ve been able to really compete in that area of the ground, that’s been a big one.
“Defensively, we’ve improved, we’re a lot harder to score against now, we’re conceding less inside 50s, and when it goes in there, we’re harder to score against as well.
“To see those two things grow and it not effect our scoring has been really positive.”
Co-vice-captain Bella Lewis said she thinks the team has shown growth and maturity, and credits the coaches for how the team has been taught this season.
“I think we’ve come a long way, I would love to have known Daisy’s thoughts on day one when we started doing it,” Lewis said.
“And the personnel we’ve got in, we’ve got a bit more experience with ‘Hosko’ (Jess Hosking) and ‘Drenno’ (Ali Drennan), plus a couple of year with the likes of me, ‘Bushy’ (Abbygail Bushby), Ella (Roberts) and ‘Rowls’ (Courtney Rowley).
“I think there’s a bit more maturity with that, having extra years in the system, but it’s also the clear and synced way that the method is taught worked really well for us.”
After a record-breaking season with crowd number this season, Pearce thanked the fans for their support and engagement throughout the year.
“It’s been awesome, we’re so grateful for our fans,” Pearce said.
“We’ve had record crowds, 6000 at Leederville Oval for the RAC Derby which was really exciting.
“To see, not just the number of fans turning up, but how engaged they are increasing all the time has been great, and we want to just keep building that.
“We want to play in a way that our fans connect with and love coming to watch.
“We’re also grateful for the club’s support this year, in terms of the work that’s gone in to making it a good experience when people come down here to watch us play, that’s been important as well.”
Sydney have a dangerous midfield outfit, and Lewis will likely to be tasked with stopping Swans Club Champion Laura Gardiner on Saturday.
“I have tried to stop her before...” Lewis said with a smile.
“She’s a really good player, they’ve got some other guns in Lucy McEvoy and Sophia Hurley who’s been really good the past couple of weeks.
“I think we just back in our system, we watched some vision on them today and I think they’re a really good side that we’ve got to respect.
“The way they build the ball up in the back half, and then go to work is really impressive, so that will be something we need to watch out for.
“On the flip side, we also have some great weapons in our system that I think can exploit them as well, so it will be a whole team effort for Laura and all the other girls as well.”
