Tigers to tighten for tests
TORQUAY coach Courtney Cuolahan says she wants to see her side be more ruthless as the BFNL goes into the business end of the year.
The Tigers put in a professional performance, brushing aside a developing Drysdale 63-12 on Saturday, staying alive in the hunt for the minor premiership.
Cuolahan said she was pleased with how her side was travelling, but said there was always room for improvement.
The Tigers play Anglesea, Ocean Grove, Queenscliff, Portarlington and Newcomb in the final five games.
“In patches we were really clinical, but we still have a tendency to fade in and out of that,” she said.
“It will be a real test in the coming weeks to lock that down and be ruthless. We need to have that mindset when we are playing.
“I think we need to get that (ruthless edge) to get that momentum happening. With the draw . . . not to say we are taking things lightly . . . but by fact we are playing the bottom sides.
“So we need to have the mentality that we are going to go out and put the foot down and work hard as a group.”
The Tigers did what was expected on Saturday, with their experience proving too much for a youthful Hawks.
The Hawks were competitive at stages during the contest, which will please coach Leah Wilson, however Torquay’s pressure proved too much.
“I thought overall today defensively we were able to put a lot of pressure on them and cause a lot of held balls, which was really pleasing,” Cuolahan said.
“The first quarter they matched us really well. Their goalers shot quite well in the first quarter.
“But as the game wore on, I thought our defenders got on top. The Drysdale girls really tried for the full four quarters and they had some juniors, so full credit to them.”
Lauren Berridge was named as Torquay’s best on court, while Cuolahan and Daisy O’Kane were typically solid.
O’Kane shot 37 of her team’s goals, while Hayley Livingston (14 goals) and Cuolahan (12) also contributed.
Maddison Connally shot four goals for Drysdale, while young talent Laney McFadyen netted eight.