Round 7 will take place at Henson Park this Saturday where our AFLW side will clash with Hawthorn. Senior coach Scott Gowans discusses preparations ahead of the game, withstanding pressure and making the top eight.
Read what he had to say below.
On the message to the team this week
“Our processes have been really good this year. We’ve got a group that are keen to learn. Right from when the players do a self-reflection, we do a review, match committee and step into training, then play. It’s focussing on that and getting it really good. We’ve had up and down times at training as all teams do. Over the last few weeks we’ve become more even with what we’re producing on the track. That’s the pleasing thing going into games. We’re heading in the right direction. It’s letting results take care of themselves and not shying away from the fact that we’re in a great spot compared to last year.”
On withstanding pressure
“It’s the first time this group was pressured and then able to give it back. That was a really pleasing result. Port Adelaide’s pressure was really good. We were able to withhold it and then go again. We talk about sustained success and I reckon it’s built off games like that where it’s not pretty at times, but it’s the effort and intensity to get through. Good things tend to happen from that. We’re able to build momentum and confidence.”
On Laura Gardiner
“She was out doing extras on Tuesday, and I love that about Laura – she’s really coachable. She’s aware of what she’s got to improve on to become one of the elite in the competition. Similar with the team philosophy, I want her to realise she’s having an amazing season compared to what she’s come from at Geelong through opportunity and hard work, but there’s a way to go. The sky is blue for her – it’s exciting.”
Resetting goals
“Our focus has always been on continued success. We’re not interested in making finals or winning one premiership. We want to be really good all the time and that’s the philosophy the whole club has with the men’s and women’s programs. That’s built off the culture that we’ve got and our expectations for continued success.”
On making the top eight
“It’s still possible. That’s what we’re here for, to be as good as we can, as often as we can. It’s a dramatic rise already to be honest. Most people at the start of the season had us on the bottom of the ladder.”
On developing Sydney’s forward line
“We’re really pleased and Bella Smith is a key example, going from back to a forward. You can throw a Montana Ham or a Chloe Molloy forward… We do have versatility that when we’re competing for premierships we’re used to a team that can play in multiple positions and able to learn the whole game plan, not just a line.”
On Montana Ham
“She just needs continuity. It’s one of those injuries with young players that’s a week-to-week thing. At the moment she’s going really well. She had a strong week this week and played okay last week. In Round 7 there are no restrictions on her. It’s really just how she feels. She is so important to our make up because she can go through all three lines. Mon’s on her own journey of learning and she’s still new to the game. I love the resilience that she shows to push through and impact in the moments she has on the ground.”
