Mid West League: CSU Mungals to host Oberon Tigers in league tag major semi-final

A huge player turnover from the outfit that made it six consecutive premierships last year meant Watkin did not put any pressure on his new-look squad at the start of 2021.

He knew they had talent, he knew they'd improve, but he never would have predicted they would be undefeated minor premiers.

"If you told me that I probably would've said you were pulling my leg to be honest," Watkin said.

"We had a massive turnover of girls and a lot of girls who hadn't played before and I thought this had the potential to be a long year.

"But they're all quick learners and eager and got stuck into it and they've all got better as the year has gone on.

"The job girls like Sam Hurst and Georgia Woodhouse have done on getting all those new girls up to speed, girls like Lily Walsh being good role models, it has really helped those new girls coming through and getting everyone on the same page.

"The good thing as the year has gone on is the new girls have then helped the older players as well, they've taken the pressure of their shoulders as they've gotten better."

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CSU will be hosting Oberon in the grand final qualifier.

The Tigers won the pre-season knockout against CSU and were the only team in the regular season to have any joy against the Mungals with a 16-all draw in round two.

The most recent meeting between the pair saw the Mungals win 24-6 and Watkin said the key to another victory on Saturday will be defence.

"On their day anyone can beat anyone, that's what league tag is like, so I've told the girls 'Don't change anything, keep playing the same footy that got us here, treat it like a normal game.'," he said.

"We've hung our hats on defence this year, we got a few sparks in attack so we know if we can defend well the points will come.

"I think that's a big thing against Oberon, they are kind of like us and move the ball around well, so defending well will see us go a long way to winning."

Playing the game at their home ground is something Watkin describes as 'massive', and he hopes that the Mungals can win to provided added motivation to the Mungoes who play their semi-final straight after.

"The uni home crowd does give you a leg up and obviously you train there and play there most of the time, so it's a huge benefit, a huge advantage playing there," Watkin, who will line up for the Mungoes said.

"It will be a boost for the boys if they win and the boys get through it's a home grand final, so there's a massive incentive to win for both the boys and girls."

Kick off in the Mungals' semi-final at Diggings Oval is 1.30pm on Saturday, with the Mungoes versus Orange United grand final qualifier to follow at 2.30pm.

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