DANIEL Lacey’s Illawarra Steelers have ended their pre-season on a high, by convincing winning their final trial match against Canberra on Sunday at Bill Andriske Oval.
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Led by Milton-Ulladulla products Taniesha Roberts, Keele Browne, Sophie Morris, Georgie Fitzpatrick, Ella Conlon and Meg Buchanan, the Steelers scored more than 10 tries while holding the Raiders to just two four-pointers.
“The game was played in thirds to make it more realistic going into the season opener against the Sharks,” Lacey said.
“With only 10 interchange allowed this season, we really wanted to push the girls fitness levels on Sunday.”
In the first third, Canberra matched the Steelers’ energy, before the latter scored just before the first break.
“I put all the Bulldogs girls in the starting line-up, to let them play in front of all their home fans that packed the hill on Sunday and they all did really well,” Lacey said.
“After the girls toughed it out on the first period, with a completely fresh side in the second, we stepped it up a notch and put on a couple of tries.
“In the past, if Steelers’ teams can match it with their opponents early, they have generally gone on to run over teams thanks to the depth and fitness of our squads – this was an aspect I reiterated the importance of to the girls.”
In the win, Lacey was particularly impressed with Buchanan and Maddison Weatherall, with all the girls doing their jobs – making choosing his 15-player squad (11 starters and five bench) for round one tough.
“This year we’ve played more trials than ever before, which has put us in a good position to work on combinations and get our balance right,” he said.
“We’ve good strong forwards and fast backs in the side – it’s just a matter of finding what positions suit each players, so they can benefit us the most.
“It’s going to be hard to narrow down the squad but I’ve explained that with no byes in this year’s draw, everyone will get their chances – as one door closes, another one opens.
“The whole squad’s professionalism and effort is amazing, as they know close enough is not good enough and they all want to go where no other Steelers Tarsha Gale side has gone before and win the competition.”
Lacey squad, which also contains Stingrays’ Madi Singleton, Riley Scott, Teagan Berry, Rhiannon Tungai and Alex Wallace, Helenburgh’s Michaela Scutts, Shannon Scutts, Emily Andrews and Olivia Vale, Berkeley’s Tiana Graham, Eleni Amone, Ula-Mari Time-Cribb, Viena Tinao, Weatherall, and Mikayla Kidd and Corrimal’s Chantel Tugaga and Nancy Misa take on Cronulla-Sutherland in round one on February 10 at Shark Park.
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