Realistic Rays look to lift for Wildcats

IT’S small steps for the reborn Northern Rays, who will be out to tick off “little wins” in hopes of toppling Sapphire Series heavyweights the QUT Wildcats on Sunday.

The Rays, who re-entered the Sapphire Series following the securing of sponsors at the beginning of the month, face one of their biggest challenges yet against the third-placed Wildcats.

The Wildcats accounted for the Rays by 36 goals when the sides last met in Round 2 in June, but fresh off a bye, Rays coach Jillian Joyce was confident her side could produce a four-quarter effort.

“We need to be honest with ourselves and how we have performed and head into the back half of the season with realistic and achievable definitions of what success looks like for us,” Joyce said.

“By no means are we throwing in the towel, the exact opposite actually.

“We have developed a real winning mindset and will be creating smaller, measurable and attainable wins, which will lead to much more positive results on the scoreboard.”

With a fresh outlook for the second half of the season after the additions of new chair Michael Brennan and new board members Casie Scott and Justin Wilkins, the new-look organisation has reviewed their on-court form.

Joyce and her performance team have overhauled the side’s program for an updated approach to their games.

“We have thrown out the rule book a little in terms of our training program and throwing something different into the mix,” Joyce said.

“The program and travel has been very draining on the playing group and you add our off-court drama to that and it’s been pretty hard on them.

“The coaching and performance staff are really putting player welfare and enjoyment at the forefront of our plan and we are already reaping the benefits.”