Eagles Prepare with ‘No Surprises’ Mindset for First AFLW Final
West Coast coach Daisy Pearce is preparing her players to expect “no surprises” as they face Carlton in their inaugural AFLW final at Ikon Park on Saturday. Pearce aims to familiarize the team with the unique elements of finals football to ensure calm under pressure.
Training Focuses on Game Environment
During a recent training session, crowd noise was played through loudspeakers to simulate match conditions. Drawing from her premiership experience with Melbourne, Pearce is educating the squad about the demands of finals.
“We know it’s the first time for a lot of people, so things like a bigger crowd, a national anthem, little nuances that finals bring. We’re talking about them so that there’s no surprises on the day,” Pearce said.
Emphasizing Consistency and Readiness
Pearce stressed the importance of sticking to the strategies that brought the team success during the season and staying focused in the moment.
“But they’re just little one percenters. The main thing is just stick to what got you there and playing the moment. We’re going to be playing against a very good opposition, who we got a taste of on last Friday night.”
She also highlighted the inevitability of challenging moments within the game and the need to accept and manage them effectively.
“So there’s going to be moments in the game that challenge us. But it’s important to go into the game not hoping that challenges don’t come, or pressure moments don’t come. It’s accepting that they’re going to happen and be ready to sort of negotiate our way through them.”
Pearce summed up the approach by advocating consistency throughout the season leading into the finals.
“If you set the season right, you sort of don’t have to change a lot when you get to this point.”
Challenge Ahead: Overcoming Previous Defeat
The Eagles face the task of overturning a 20-point loss to Carlton from Round 12, where Blues midfielders Abbie McKay and Mimi Hill, alongside defender Harriet Cordner, performed strongly. Cordner notably recorded 11 intercept possessions, 10 of which were in the first half.
Key Opponents to Watch
- Abbie McKay (Midfielder)
- Mimi Hill (Midfielder)
- Harriet Cordner (Defender with 11 intercept possessions)
This experience and tactical preparation will be central for the Eagles to make their mark in the final.