LISA Quinn is not one to make a secret of her competitive drive, but the Bathurst City coach admits she has taken a slightly different approach to her side's 2019 women's Premier League Hockey campaign.
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While Quinn still very much wants to see City qualify for yet another finals campaign, this year she is content enough to let others battle for the minor premiership.
There has been large player turnover since City last won the premiership in 2017 - nine of that season's squad are not playing for the Bathurst side this season.
Injuries to key players like Kelly Baker and now Anna Cartwright have had an impact as well.
It has meant the formation of new combinations and blooding new talent at Premier League level, a process which can not be rushed.
"I'm not one to be known for wanting to go slow, but this season I'm willing to take the pace off getting there first and instead just build the team up," she said.
"I knew from the start of the year that we had to do that to get in that top four and at the end of the day, that is what matters. It's coming together, we've just got to keep it going now, that's the hard part.
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"Our young girls that weren't getting in our starting line-ups in Premier League line up last year but are getting in this year, they are really finding their feet halfway through the season. It's making a difference."
Last Saturday as Bathurst City defeated Lithgow Zig Zag 3-0, it marked the first time this season Quinn's side had strung together consecutive wins.
It was also just the third time in 10 matches City had managed multiple goals, but it was enough to see Quinn's side take fourth spot on goal difference over Confederates.
With four rounds remaining before finals it shapes as a battle between Orange CYMS, Lithgow Panthers and St Pat's for the minor premiership, while City, Confederates and Souths wrestle for the last spot in the top four.
City has a tough run with games against Panthers, Pat's and Confederates in those concluding rounds, but Quinn will be driving her players to continue their improvement.
