GOOD mates who are all talented and ready to work for each other - that is why Bathurst Panthers under 11s coach Zarlia Griffiths thinks her side will be crowed Group 10 Junior Rugby League champions this Saturday.
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They are ingredients which have already served her young Panthers well as Griffiths' under 11s have conquered all who have come before them so far this season.
The won six consecutive games on their way to being the undefeated minor premiers and in last Saturday's semi-final against Lithgow Storm, they scored seven tries in a 40-12 win.
"It's pretty good to be undefeated and hopefully we can bring it home on Saturday," Griffiths said.
"But looking at them, I don't think they feel any pressure. It is probably there under the surface but they seem pretty calm on the outside, they are are pretty good side all-round and I think they can do it.
"The message for Saturday is just to have fun, I think a team of mates will beat a team of talents any day and they're all friends and they all get along. I think that will get them over the line in the end."
Having run water last season, 2020 is Griffiths' first in charge as a coach. It is a role the Western Rams women's tackle representative is enjoying.
"It's good fun coaching these ones, there's some pretty good talent there. It's good trying to help them better themselves, it's good to have that sort of stuff going on," she said.
Griffiths has the assistance of her father John as manager. He also coaches the under 16s Panthers side which is aiming for an undefeated premiership of their own come Saturday.
"I think there will be some bragging rights if my side wins and his doesn't, but it would be good to see them both win, they're both undefeated at the moment," Zarlia Griffiths laughed.
A team of mates will beat a team of talents any day and they're all friends and they all get along.
- Zarlia Griffiths
While Griffiths has faith in her Panthers, she also knows that their rivals on Saturday - the Cowra Magpies - will not be easy to beat.
The format of the under 11s draw means the Panthers have not met the Magpies this season, but a look at Cowra's record gives an indication of what to expect.
They placed second in the minor premiership with just the one loss while they boast the best attacking and defensive record in the competition.
The Magpies booked their spot in the decider with a 28-12 win over Orange CYMS Green.
"I don't know too much about them, just that they beat the same teams we've beaten," Griffiths said of Cowra. "So we'll just stick to what we have been doing, I think it's been working for us."
What has been working for Panthers is the combination of their mateship and talent.
The coach knows it is not just her starting players, but every single member of the squad who can relied upon to do a job in attack and defence.
"We've got a pretty good whole 20, I don't doubt anybody when I put them on. They are all at the same sort of level and it's good to have a bench like that," she said.
"Everyone has their own ability which really helps, our bench is just as good as our starting side."
The under 11s grand final will kick off at 9am at Jack Arrow Oval on Saturday.
