"We've got no excuses. We need to turn up to play, and play well."
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That's the summary for how St Pat's coach Jaden Ekert sees this Saturday's women's Premier League Hockey grand final rematch against hosts Lithgow Panthers.
The Saints are expected to field a full strength squad for the trip east and the defending champions will be looking to repeat the result from last year's decider.
Saints' hockey has been somewhat inconsistent over the past few weeks but at their best they have been difficult to contain, as evidenced by their 3-1 win-loss record.
However, there's little room for that inconsistency against a Panthers team yet to taste defeat. Panthers have hit home 17 goals from their four matches at the cost of just two goals in their own net.
Ekert said Pat's should reflect upon the hockey which helped them take last year's 5-2 grand final victory.
Keep up to date with the latest sports news by clicking here.
"It's always tough when you go to Lithgow to play Panthers. It's a challenge that we're hopefully ready to face," he said.
"We've had a lot of success in Lithgow. It's a great thing to win away from home but everything starts afresh this year. New players, a new team. We don't know what they've got so we've just got to turn up and play our best.
"If we play the same as what we did last week, except with about 10 to 15 per cent more effort, then it's going to go a long way towards helping us win it."
Last round's 2-0 win over cross-city rivals Bathurst City - the first clean sheet for the Saints in the derby for three seasons - has provided a great platform for the team to work off.
We're moving in the right direction and we've prepared well for this weekend.
- Jaden Ekert
Ruby Clarke and Millie Fulton goals were earned on the back of fitness and the Saints' great play to their structure.
It was a great way for Pat's to hit back from defeat to CYMS a fortnight earlier.
"Bathurst City love turning up to play against us but it was great to get another win on the board," Ekert said.
"It was a great stepping stone for us, especially after taking two steps back against CYMS. We're moving in the right direction and we've prepared well for this weekend.
"We battled hard against City. It was a physical game from both teams and the girls needed that result.
"It's made them stronger mentally to know that they can muscle up and still run all day. The good thing is that our fitness took over, and when you're fitter you tend to think clearer. A result like that is great for your confidence especially when you go into a game against Panthers."