THERE'S a sense of calm within Rachel Alderson but don't mistake it for a lack of focus.
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The Warriors midcourter is keeping cool ahead of Old Collegians' elimination final against Timboon Demons on Sunday.
Alderson, a lifelong Warrior and under 17.5 best and fairest in 2013, said her team was at its best when it removed the stress from netball.
"It's pretty much business as usual but we're really focusing on trying to be a bit more relaxed and to have a bit more fun with it," she said.
"That's probably when we're at our best - when we're having a bit more fun with it.
"You don't want to put too much pressure on it but it's about finding the right balance."
That's probably when we're at our best - when we're having a bit more fun with it.
- Rachel Alderson
Alderson's side is hoping to break the deadlock in the do-or-die battle with both Old Collegians and Timboon Demons notching one triumph in their home-and-away fixtures this season.
She backed the Warriors' in-form shooters to impact the match but expected a tight battle.
"We feel like we've really come together in the last few years and built up to this," Alderson said.
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"They're a really strong team. They've probably building for longer than us.
"They're hard to come up against - really fit, really strong - so it'll be a really strong game."
Alderson, who was best-on-court as the Warriors defeated Russells Creek in last season's elimination final, is relishing the challenge of finals.
"The finals atmosphere is great, I love it," she said.
"It's just so different to the home and away season so it'll be good to get into that again.
"I think we're definitely nervous in that we beat them the first time and lost the second time we came up against them.
"The nerves will come we're just trying to stay as relaxed as possible.
"It feels like we're coming together well at the right time of the year."
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