The Maitland Saints are prepared for a physical encounter in the AFL women's preliminary final against Wyong Lakes at Rose Point Park, Singleton on Saturday at noon.
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The Saints face the Magpies for a spot in the AFL Hunter Central Coast grand final on September 7 against the winner of the other preliminary final between Killarney Vale and Newcastle City.
"The first game Terrigal were really physical and it was new for our players who weren't used to that style of footy," Saints coach Chris Pedler said.
"The second game we went down there we only had 15 players but we were a lot more physical and knew what to expect from them.
"We'll have a full squad and will not be surprised by a physical approach so the previous results shouldn't count for much. The girls are confident."
Maitland had the first week of the finals off after finishing second on the ladder.
The week off allowed the team to look at deficiencies identified in a 40 points loss to minor premiers Killarney Vale in the final round.
"We struggled a bit against the better teams and probably you learn most from playing against quality opposition," Pedler said.
"But the girls have been like sponges all season and so quick to learn their lessons.
"You sometimes forget that the girls who have played the most footy, have still only played for three years.
"They are starting to play a good brand of footy, which was my main aim along with supporting the development of one or two of the players to take on coaching over the next year or two."
The game against Wyong Lakes had been scheduled to be played at Newcastle No.1 Oval but it was closed when deemed to wet and the match was transferred to Singleton. The game starts at noon.
