NYAH-Nyah West United have a “good building block” for this Sunday’s do-or-die clash with Woorinen.
After rebuilding for the past few seasons, the Demons have already broken their six-year finals drought.
Now with a 44-point elimination final in the bag, NNW United co-coach Corey Daniels was pleased to see his side get rewarded for effort against Lake Boga.
“It feels really good, it’s good to win a final for a start and it’s a good building block for next week,” Daniels said.
“We managed to get some speed on the game and the boys in the middle were really good, especially in that first quarter.
“‘Stokesy’ (Jarrod Stokes) was good in that hybrid forward and mid role. We need blokes to be dangerous up there and he’s someone that you don’t want to let off the leash because he’ll kick five or six.”
It’s no secret the Demons play an attacking, hard-running brand of football, which was on show for all to see in the opening-quarter onslaught.
But while the Magpies were no match for United’s run and spread, it will be a different scenario against the Tigers, who will be determined to not go out in straight sets after a hard-fought seven-point loss to Balranald.
Woorinen will be favourites, having won the corresponding round 11 fixture by 19 points, when ill-discipline cost the Demons dearly.
While the Tigers will also have finals experience on their side, NNW United co-coach Nick O’Neill expected his team to step up to the challenge.
“I said to the boys that if we keep pushing and working hard, we’ll get rewarded for it,” O’Neill said.
“We’ve done that and I don’t think we could have written it any better to be playing Woorinen to be honest.
“We owe them from last time. We were in front and then we lost our way a bit, so we owe them.
“We’re not a big side, so we need a game plan that suits us and we’ve found one.
“We’ve just got to keep that run going, look after each other with handball and just take every run on.
“We’ve been telling our guys to keep working on the things they know they can improve in, as well as getting better on their strengths.”
Daniels, too, was excited for the match, which could be his last in charge of his home club, but he was also aware there was still plenty of work to be done.
“We’re really excited for Sunday, it should be a good game of footy,” Daniels said.
“Woorinen were impressive against Balranald, so we’re going to have to bring our best and see how we go.
“Their pressure is really good. I thought their pressure around the ball was impressive, so we’re expecting a pretty physical contest.
“They will most likely try and slow us down, so it’ll be a really interesting game.”
