TODAY St Pat’s plan to qualify for their third consecutive women’s Premier League grand final but as keen as the Saints are to win, minor premiers Lithgow Panthers are just as determined to spoil those plans.
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The Bathurst side will travel to Lithgow for the major semi-final and unlike the two previous games between themselves and Panthers which ended in draws, this time there will be a result.
St Pat’s coach Daniel Casey believes if his side plays as well as they did last week when bettering Bathurst City in the major semi-final, they are definitely a chance of winning.
“A home grand final is in the back of my mind and if we can win and the men win over Parkes, then Pat’s will have two grand finals in the same day,” he said.
“It would be fantastic for St Pat’s and Bathurst hockey to have the men’s and women’s grand final in Bathurst.”
While the Saints finished the regular season in third place behind Lithgow Panthers and Bathurst City, ultimately that position still offered them the chance to be first into the grand final.
It was something Casey had his players aiming for.
“Whenever you play sport the aim in the round games is to make the semis and the higher you finish, the more chances you have,” Casey said.
“We won last week and now have the chance to go into the grand final instead of playing an elimination semi.
“Last week was the best hockey we have played and if we produce that again and muscle up on the ball we can win.”
Games between Pat’s and Panthers this year have not only been tight in terms of the results, but in scoring opportunities as well. The first match resulted in a 1-all draw and the second encounter saw the Premier League rivals score two goals apiece.
Given this Casey needs his attack to work hard and pressure Lithgow, but he will also ask them to help defend and make sure the Panthers win no easy ball.
“In the semis it is goals that obviously win you the game, but defence is the key,” he said. “I am not just talking the back three, but all over the park players have to be strong on the ball and defend.
“In finals they are generally not high scoring games and two or three goals can win the match and if we are tight all over the field it can limit their scoring opportunities.”
St Pat’s will be without the experienced Kiralee Naylor today as she suffered a broken thumb in the elimination semi-final.
“Losing Kiralee this weekend is a big blow for us,” Casey said.
“She is having scans and I am hoping she will be back before the season is over.”
Lithgow teams have proved to always be tough to beat on their home turf, as shown by the Saints suffering an upset loss to Lithgow Zig Zag in their final match of the regular season.
Still, Casey knows his side have the talent to combat that factor.
“They enjoy the home crowd advantage, but if we play simple hockey, trap and pass to someone in a better position, we can win,” Casey said.
“We drew a lot of confidence beating Bathurst City on the weekend and will build on that.
“The perfect result for me today is Pat’s win both games, we get a week off to rest Kiralee and others with niggling injuries and then come out and win the grand final.”
St Pat’s play Lithgow Panthers at 3.50pm in Lithgow in the major semi-final.