Capitalising on opportunities and maintaining concentration throughout 90 minutes are the messages coach Adam Gambrill is driving home ahead of Cowra’s sudden-death semi-final against CSU White this Sunday.
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The Eagles have gathered huge confidence in the run-in to the pointy end of the year, and are aiming to book their spot in next week’s Bathurst Football Association Premier League decider with victory against the minor premiers at Proctor Park.
Gambrill said its been a relatively relaxed week for the Eagles who are coming off a number of challenging contests in the past few weeks.
“We’re refining what we’ve learnt throughout the year so we can get it right in the big games,” Adam Gambrill said.
“We’ve spoke a lot about concentration, the mental side of the game. We need to eliminate lapses in our game. We tend to switch off for 10 to 15 minutes. We can’t afford that this week.
“And we need to take opportunities when they come. Big games come down to the big moments and it’s usually decided by which team capitilises and which team doesn’t. They’re a bloody good side,” he added.
Cowra promoted themselves to the premier league this season following last year’s second grade premiership triumph and years in the lower grades.
Gambrill spoke proudly of his side’s performance this season, and the thought of playing in this year’s grand final.
“I’d love to make the grand final. I think in first grade the second week of finals is as far as Cowra has made it before so we’re already achieving something,” he said.
“I truly believe if we put our best performance together we’ll give ourselves the opportunity to make the grand final.
“After stepping up a grade it’d be a pretty special achievement.”
Cowra and CSU met most recently only a month ago and despite leading for 85 minutes, Cowra was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw after CSU equalised in the closing stages. “We’ve had good tussles in the past and I don’t expect anything different,” Gambrill said.
“Once it’s sudden-death it’s a completely different game. It’s probably more about handling the occasion.
“We know what works for us so that’s our focus and hopefully it’s enough to get us over the line on Sunday.
“CSU White would probably be favourites but we’ve shown against them previously we can stick it to them.”
Cowra defeated Lithgow Workies Gold 3-2 last week to progress. Kick-off is at Proctor Park this Sunday from 3pm.
Cowra starting XI: Mitchell Thompson, Lucas Hayes, Matthew Reed, Justin Ellice, Oliver Carter, Perry Weigold, Max Wensley, Pat Battigieg, Michael Howarth, Shaun Mortyne, Toby Baker. Substitutes: Will Baker, Ethan Willis and Michael Lazarou.