Weight lifted off Flames following first loss of women's season
THE Orange Autos Rockingham Flames lost their first game of the women's SBL season last Friday night and coach Ryan Petrik believes it could have been the best thing to happen to his group.
The Flames have been the dominant team of the women's SBL season to date having won their opening 17 matches before going down narrowly last Friday to the Kalamunda Eastern Suns in what is likely the highest quality contest of the year to date.
Petrik has seen somewhat of a weight lifted off his team's shoulders since the defeat and now that they don’t have to put up with all the talk surrounding them needing to record a loss before the playoffs, he is confident of them now refocusing on cementing the minor premiership.
"As of practice Monday night, the girls seemed like a weight had been lifted now that streak is over," Petrik said.
"It's the loosest and happiest they've looked in weeks, which seems crazy following a loss, but now they can just get back to playing without worrying when the streak would end with everyone saying they had to lose before the finals."
The Flames now take on the struggling Schweigen East Perth Eagles this Saturday night at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre.
The Eagles have won just the two matches so far this season and are currently on a 12-match losing streak, but Petrik and the Flames won't be taking them lightly given they have some dangerous players including Stephanie Jones, Nicole Jorre St Jorre and Dannielle Devenny.
However, with stars of his own like Samantha Whitcomb, Darcee Garbin, Jacinta Bourne, Kaye Tucker, Tarsha Fletcher and Talisia Bourne, he is confident of getting back on the winner's list this week ahead of the Week 17 bye and finishing the regular season against the Lakeside Lightning, Perry Lakes Hawks and Stirling Senators.
"We face an East Perth team in the middle of a rebuild this weekend," Petrik said.
"We're also very aware they got within five points of the defending champion Wolves just nine days ago, and with us having the bye next weekend, and playing in Perth on a Saturday night, we need to stay focused until after the game is finished before checking into holiday mode."
Article by Chris Pike
Photo by VIP
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