SOUTH Warrnambool is used to playing cut-throat games – it’s been doing it for the past six weeks.
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The Roosters will have to embrace that mentality again on Saturday when they face Hamilton Kangaroos in a final-round showdown which could determine their Hampden A grade finals fate.
South Warrnambool sits fourth on the table with 44 points.
The Susan Pettigrew-coached outfit is one of five teams vying for four finals spots.
A 48-44 win against Portland on Saturday kept the Roosters’ chances alive.
“Every game we’ve played for the last six weeks has been like a grand final because of the ramifications if you lose,” Pettigrew said.
Pettigrew said the Roosters would take confidence in against the ladder-leading Kangaroos.
“They are excited and they have belief that if they are playing well finals are (open) to everyone,” she said of her young team.
“I think there would be six teams who think that.
“Everyone realises they are all fighting for a spot to play finals and when you get to finals it is anyone’s game.”
South Warrnambool was forced to work hard against Portland.
The Roosters led at every change but were challenged throughout.
“It was a really tough, tight game but we had a small lead the whole game and managed to hang on,” Pettigrew said.
Defenders Gen and Ally O’Connor were instrumental for the Roosters, as was attacking combination Leah Kermeen and Nell Mitchell.