Sport
22 August, 2024
Warriors 'won't take Rats lightly' in final round clash | WFNL round 18
It will be over four months since the local rivals last played.
Stawell Warriors co-coaches Jemma Clarkson and Rachel Wood know they can not underestimate rivals Ararat in the final round of the WFNL regular season.
The side enters the round 18 encounter after a thrilling 51-47 win against Southern Mallee in its last start.
"Although [Ararat] aren't in the mix for finals, they certainly can't be taken lightly; no team can at the moment," Clarkson said.
"It's been 18 rounds till we've faced them again."
Clarkson believes it is the atmosphere that the supporter bases create that helps lift both clubs.
"It's always fun to play Ararat; there's great support. It's like you get your home crowd willing to travel a little bit as well, So that'll be great," Clarkson said.
"We still need to front up and have a really good match."
The Warriors defeated Ararat by 26 goals on Good Friday.
Looking at the back-half of the season, Clarkson identified how crucial the round 17 win was.
"We've been on the edge of that fifth, sixth spot all year, and we knew we had to win to keep our finals hopes alive."
A pivotal moment in the fourth quarter was an interception created by Madi Taylor that kept the ball in Stawell's attacking end of the court.
"It was an absolutely ripping intercept from Mads [Taylor] to turn back a vital ball that probably may have put the game out of reach for us," Clarkson said.
"Just her intensity on the court is unreal. She never says die and always works hard to the final whistle."
The Rats enter its last match of the season after a 35-goal loss to Nhill.
Jesse Bligh's 17 goals took her over 200 for the season.
The minor premiership will also be decided in the final round as Horsham faces the Thunder, while Horsham Saints welcomes Nhill to Coughlin Park.
The Demons have a 6.72 per cent advantage over its cross-town rivals.
Saints coach Jess Cannane says her side has had an eye on percentage late in the regular season.
"If we're in that position to be able to push ourselves, to try and see if we can set that target nice and high and make sure that potentially securing a week off, it is really in our hands," she said.
A second chance will be on the line for Nhill, who are four points ahead of Dimboola in third but 0.28 per cent behind.
The Burras host the Roos at Murtoa Recreation Reserve.