Reds in peak form for crack at South - August 30 2014
Reds in peak form for crack at South
Matthew Galea
August 30 2014
Shepparton News
Shepparton South might have gone through the Goulburn North East Football Association open women’s home-and-away season undefeated, but it will face the form team in Shepparton in tomorrow’s semi-final.
The Reds are lucky enough to host a home final and will be a dangerous prospect for the Southerners, coming into finals on the back of four wins.
Shepparton has beaten Shepparton United, Tatura, Kyabram Phoenix and Cobram Victory on the way to a surprise second-place finish.
The only team the Reds have not beaten his season are the Southerners themselves.
However, Shepparton South coach Ralph Giuliani said his side’s record against Shepparton this season was no reason for complacency.
‘‘We’ve had two very close encounters and even though we won the last one 2-0 we had to work really hard for it,’’ Giuliani said.
‘‘They’ve troubled us more than some teams and, to be honest, they’re the form side.
‘‘They’ve beaten Victory, Cobram and Ky so they’re a good side and we’re going to have to be very diligent.’’
Injury queries hang over several Southerners players as well, with Hannah Reynoldson a particular concern given her importance to matching the Reds for pace.
‘‘They are very quick out wide and I wouldn’t be surprised if they tried to find some success with the long ball in behind,’’ Giuliani said.
‘‘We’ll have to really be on our game.’’
It would not be the first time this season the Southerners have gone into a game on the back foot and come out with a positive result.
Giuliani’s side has made a good habit of turning 50-50 contests into wins this season — something Shepparton coach Uwe Paffrath said was indicative of the Southerners’ quality.
‘‘The whole team is good and that’s why they’ve gone undefeated,’’ Paffrath said.
‘‘We need leadership from the older players just to keep the focus and keep the younger ones supported for the whole 90 minutes.
‘‘But the whole team is excited and get into the swing of things.’’
Lauren Pryor and Rebecca Bowles will be crucial to the Reds as they look to take a positive result from their first finals appearance in three years.
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