Thomson aims for fast start

A BUOYANT Thomson hopes to catch a well-rested Werribee Centrals on the hop early this weekend in a bid to secure a grand final berth.

Fresh off a confidenceboosting six-goal win in the qualifying final against Bannockburn, the Tigers enter the second semi-final in top form and at full-strength, which has co-coach Shannyn Leach convinced they can take down the reigning premiers.

Thomson has fallen just short of Centrals on both occasions this season but Leach said her side was not about to make the same mistake that cruelled it last time they met.

“We would ideally like to get the strong start. Last time we played them we had a really poor start and we paid for it. What we were down by in the first quarter (four goals) was what we lost by,” she said.

“Our aim over the last few weeks has been to have really strong starts and maintain it for four quarters.

“To beat Werribee you’ve got to start strong and remain strong for four quarters.

“They’ve been really intense the last couple of encounters we’ve had, so we’re really hoping that over the last three or four weeks we’ve done the right things and are combining well as a team to be able to take it to them.”

Leach said her less-experienced finals players now had a blueprint for the step-up required to win finals matches after coming off a tough win against a similarly-styled opposition in Bannockburn.

“We really needed that coming into finals. Getting that first game away was good for us mentally, knowing you can do it,” she said.

The last piece of the puzzle could be the vocal support backing Thomson’s finals charge.

“Last week we had such a crowd getting behind us that is really made a difference for us and as a club we’ve focused on getting around each other and supporting each other through the grades,” Leach said.