This Sunday, in a once off for 2015, the Queensland Women’s team travel down to Blacktown to take on NSW/ACT.
The game can be live streamed by clicking HERE.
Below is a preview for the game.
What was learnt?
Queensland had a big win over Tasmania earlier this year, but what did they learn from it?
“The players were really good with the game plan we were trying to implement, which was our run off half back, a lot of change of direction, and a lot of quick movement into the key forwards,” coach Craig Starcevich said.
“By halftime we had a fair margin up, but after that our structure started to disintegrate a little bit as people got tired or stopped thinking about what their roles were, so it got a bit tardy probably half way through the third quarter, but in saying that, we were really good for two and half quarters.”
What needs to be done?
NSW/ACT are a very strong team with some a-grade players throughout their line up. They are quick, and spread across the ground well. Queensland will need to make sure their running game is on song from the start, but will also have to keep an eye on the rebound attack that can come because of it.
“They are going to be a lot tougher proposition than Tassie, they have got some really good run, and a lot of quick players,” he said.
“We need to be really efficient users of the football, and keep possession, and run and attack and get it in quickly to our forwards. That’s where we will be dangerous.”
Changes
There will be three changes from the team that took on Tasmania.
OUT:
The two ruckman in Sheena Sidin and Rachael Anstey, as well as Dania Herdman
IN:
South Toowoomba small forward Shaleise Law
“Shaleise an electrifying small forward, and will be a dynamic inclusion in the forward 50,” Starcevich said.
Brooke Spence: Brisbane Roar soccer and Coorparoo player
“Brooke is a bit of a running machine, finds heaps of the ball, still developing her disposal skills, which are pretty good already,” he said.
Jenna McCormick: Adelaide United soccer and Coorparoo player
“She is an outstanding football talent. She was in the South Australian high performance system a couple of years ago. Good athlete, great kick of the football, clean hands, good overhead, we are really excited about what she will bring,” Starcevich said.
Opposition watch
NSW/ACT have two players on the AFL Exhibition Match lists, in Heather Anderson and Jodie Hicks. When you add into that mix Stephanie Walker, Maddy Collier, Jennifer Lew and ruckman Amy Hessell, Queensland will have to have eyes in the back of their heads to stop them all.
The key will be limited their time with ball in hand, and not giving them any space with their possessions. If they do, these six players will be damaging with the football in hand.
The go to players
“I think our half back line can be good again, so Breanna Koenen and Emily Bates, both are having outstanding QWAFL years through their intercept marks, change of direction, and run and carry,” Starcevich said.
“I also think that Megan Hunt is primed for some good footy. She plays a defensive role as a midfielder for Coorparoo, and is very smart about getting into right spots, getting into holes, changing the direction the footy travels, those sorts of things.
“Tayla Harris will be a handful up forward and Jenna McCormack will be my wildcard, I think she will be really one to watch.”
Final say
Queensland will come into this game full of confidence, but they wont have it all their way like last time. NSW/ACT will be very tough to beat, especially at home, but if Queensland can get their rebound game going early, and can put some scoreboard pressure on in the first quarter, they should be able to get across the line.
“I’m reasonably confident. We have got a few hurdles in our path, having to go down and back in one day, playing away from home is always tough, the opposition is a lot better, plus we have had a few injury issues too, but I think if we play with a lot of energy, effort, and implement the game style we want to, we will be fine,” Starcevich said.
GAME DETAILS
NSW/ACT vs. Queensland
Sunday July 19, 3:00pm – Blacktown
Live stream all the action right HERE
By Andrew Wiles – @andrewjwiles
