NIRRANDA will be better for the experience of having played in a final, according to defender Katie Ryan.
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She praised the efforts of the Blues against reigning premier Dennington last Saturday and said getting the first final out of the way would help settle the nerves ahead of Sunday’s first semi-final against Panmure.
“A few of the girls haven’t played senior finals before, so it was probably good to get that experience,” Ryan said.
“We took a lot of positives away from that.
“I think when we get ourselves right, we warm up right and we can have a really good start.”
Ryan is no stranger to the finals stage, however, playing in a premiership at East Warrnambool under now-Dennington coach Katie Burt, as well as finals during her time with Merrivale.
She and fellow defender Natalie Inia will have the tough task of trying to keep impressive Panmure goal pairing Narelle Marsden and Charlotte Lenehan quiet at Merrivale Recreation Reserve in this weekend’s final.
“Nat and I have to just keep plugging away, that’s just how it goes,” Ryan said.
“We work as a team.”
Ryan, who crossed from Merrivale to join Nirranda this season, said strong leadership in the team set a good foundation for the Blues.
We take a lot of positives away from that (qualifying final).
- Katie Ryan