STAWELL’S 15-point elimination final triumph against Ararat on Sunday has reaffirmed the belief that its high-octane game-style can hold it in good stead in high-stakes finals clashes.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Warriors were too silky through the middle of the ground at Horsham City Oval against the Rats, with their skills allowing it to deliver quality ball to their forwards.
Jack Musgrove was the main beneficiary of the impressive ball movement, booting five goals that included two crucial set shots early in the final term.
Coach Brad Thomas said despite little finals experience among the playing group, he was confident the way the Warriors played was tailor-made for September.
“I reckon the brand of footy we’re playing is finals footy,” he said.
“And that’s the type of thing we’re trying to implement.”
Thomas said he would have been proud of his side no matter what Sunday’s result had been, but said the club was heading in the right direction.
“The trademark behaviours around the club are fantastic and improving week by week,” he said.
“This is a reward for effort and all the hard work everyone’s doing.”
Stawell lost Luke Hendy in the second quarter to a knee injury, and while it was clearly disappointing for the Warriors, Thomas said the manner in which his side responded was sublime.
“Once he went down it hurt our rotations, but we’ve got a really tight-knit group and when someone goes down everyone’s got to improve by 10 per cent,” he said.
“We’ve got so much respect for one another, it effects everyone personally when they see a team-mate go down.
“On the field and off the field we stick together.”
The Warriors will regroup during the week as they prepare for a massive semi-final clash with Minyip-Murtoa at Horsham City Oval at the weekend.