ECU Souwest Jets hope to make most of second chance in preliminary final

The ECU Souwest Jets are clearing for take-off for another chance at reaching the WA Netball League grand final but will need to defeat some formidable Lions along the way. Because of their second-place finish during the regular WANL season, the Jets will be competing against Western Roar in tomorrow’s preliminary final at Gold Netball Centre despite losing to West Coast Warriors by 32 goals at the weekend. It comes after the Roar eliminated Curtin Hamersley Comets 61-41 in the minor semifinal prior to the Jets’ clash with the Warriors. Head coach Karly Guadagnin said her team would be looking to put a less than ideal performance behind them as they get set for an intense clash with the Roar. “We probably didn’t prepare as well as we would have liked and we were going up against the top of the table,” she said. “We just weren’t at our best last week and we didn’t continue to fight throughout the game. “This week, we’ve started well with two good training sessions, we’ve reviewed and we’re really focused and ready to go. “It will be a different style of game against the Lions, but we’re just really focusing on us being at our best again and throwing a few different strategies in.” Guadagnin said the second chance to make the grand final because of their second-place finish had given the Jets a good learning curve for the future. “We’re a young and inexperienced side when it comes to finals, so getting ourselves to second position on the ladder was a good mental thing for us,” she said. “We really need to learn from that moving forward into the future that if you’re given a second chance you go for it straight away. “Knowing that we do have a second chance is pretty handy for us but we just need to come hungrier and play better netball than what we did last week to make the most of it.” In the midst of an up-and-down season, the Jets are set to have 12 players raring to go with last week’s return of shooter Giselle Taylor and the recruitment of several players throughout the season. “To get Giselle back with some minutes was handy for us but it just shows you need to have depth within your squad and we’ve been able to do that with three replacement players,” Guadagnin said. “To be able to perform while having new players come in is massive for any club, so it’s a credit to the individuals and also to the team for being able to rise when it’s their opportunity.” The upcoming match against the Roar is set to be a thriller after a last-quarter comeback from the Jets in front of a home crowd at Eaton Recreation Centre saw the intense match end in a 46-all draw.