WARATAHS warmed up for their Tamworth womens finals quest with a patchy four-goal win over Services on Sunday.
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After a poor first half they found their rhythm in the second half, netting five goals to pull away for a 6-2 win in what was their final hit-out they take on minor premiers Flames in the major semi-final.
Earlier a Sarah Payne hat-trick and doubles to Em Chaffey and Taylah Rossington had ignited Olympians to a 9-3 win over Tudor Wests.
Olympians coach Andrew Farmilo liked what he saw.
“They were really confident on the ball. They shifted the ball quickly, didn't hold onto it,” he said.
They also had good width and good overlapping off the ball.
He thought Millah Green was fantastic in the midfield.
It was only her second game there after being pushed up from defence.
“I was really happy with her last week. She was even better this week,” he said.
“When the pass was on she passed it, and when there was nothing on she possessed the ball.”
Tudors coach Jake Sheppeard said they changed their structure around a bit in attack.
“We had three strikers roving around the top. That worked well for us,” he said.
“We had a lot of opportunities, we just couldn't finish.”
They were also a bit disorganised in defence.
“There wasn't much communication going on,” he said.
Em Lockyer in the centre was their best.
Waratahs coach Graeme McKenzie said they didn't play with the right intensity “or demonstrate any real desire to dominate the opposition".
After a bit of a "rev up” at half-time and a slight change in structure, their second half was a lot better.
“We added a bit more punch up front in the second half. That seemed to work,” he said.
There were more forward options and the work off the ball was a lot better.
McKenzie was very happy with Abigail Doolan's game. Georgia White and Tayla King also had strong games.
Services captain-coach Kimmy McLean was in contrast disappointed with her sides second half. At 1-all at half-time they were right in it.
“I think the first half was nearly the best half we've played. The intensity was there and everyone was working,” she said.
They also played an extra player in the midfield, which helped.
But as has been the been the way all season they couldn't sustain it for the 70 minutes.
“The second half we probably played well for the first 15 minutes but the last 15 minutes the intensity dropped and simple basics dropped,” she said.
Michelle Aslin as usual never stopped trying. Sarah Dicker and Sophie Bevan in goals also had strong games.