Central Coast Grand Final a reward for determination

Author: Sydney Roosters
Timestamp: Thu 24 Sep 2020, 01:18 PM

There are a number of scenarios that can be taken into account when it comes to how teams make their way to the final stages of a season, but the answer has been simple and effective for the Central Coast Roosters in 2020.

According to head coach John Strange, it quite simply comes down to the determination his side has shown since the competition was put on hold way back in March.

The squad were in a position where they knew the competition could restart at any given moment, or that they could be called into one of the four teams competing in the NRLW season towards the back end of the year.

In the end it was the best case scenario for the Women's competitions, a shortened re-vamped Harvey Norman season that would lead directly into the four week NRLW competition.

But before the restarted season would become a reality, several months went by with no rugby league being played across the NSWRL.

Strange says that his staff did a great job to ensure that his squad were getting sufficient training and nutrition under their belt while the season was on hold, and it's certainly shown on field since the beginning of the re-vamped competition.

“The girls all worked really hard this year to put themselves in a position to compete for the Grand Final," head coach John Strange said.

“They were being sent training programs they could do on their own through the break, so when they came back they were fit and ready to go.

"In terms of their attitude towards solo training, the results were there to see.

“It’s a real testament to their attitude as people and as rugby league players.”

The Central Coast Roosters after a win at Morrie Breen Oval.

The Central Coast Roosters have been outstanding since the resumption of the competition, claiming the Minor Premiership and scoring a huge win over the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks to seal an appearance in the Grand Final.

It's been a simple recipe for the squad, to work hard and stay committed in order to ensure they're in a good position in 2020.

There's a good buzz heading into the Grand Final, which is evident to see in the Central Coast Roosters and NRLW Roosters camps.

“It’s a feeling of pure excitement," Strange said on the Roosters feelings towards Sunday afternoon's Grand Final.

“We trained last Friday and had a chat without knowing who our opponent was.

“I told them I wasn’t focused on who we play, but more on how we play when we get out there.

“We don't want to, nor are we going to change anything just because it’s a Grand Final.

“They’ve played great all year, they’re all really excited and ready to go.”

The Central Coast Roosters after a big win over the North Sydney Bears in 2020.

Strange has been named as one of two assistant coaches for the upcoming NRLW season alongside Central Coast Roosters veteran hooker Kylie Hilder.

Eight players from both the Central Coast Roosters and North Sydney Bears Grand Final sides are set to play for the Roosters in the upcoming NRLW season after being named in the squad earlier this week.

Strange's commitment to the Roosters NRLW squad has been present for some time, and the Central Coast Roosters Grand Final could assist in setting the team up for success in the upcoming NRLW season.

“The good thing about it is that they’re all really well conditioned heading into the first game of the NRLW.

“There are girls that haven’t made the semi’s and will head into that first NRLW game probably in need of a bit of match fitness.

“It’s definitely a positive that we’ve got a few girls out there that will be putting on the red, white and blue the following week.”