Finishing fourth and qualifying for the Group 10 finals in their maiden year the Dragons’ ladies have exceeded all expectations but are not done yet.

Women’s league tag coach Ivan Giammarco believes Mudgee can beat any side in the competition when the Dragons are firing. He said when it comes to Sunday’s elimination semi-final against Lithgow Workies at Glen Willow, it’s all about keeping a level head.

“We’ve been training really well and we will do as we have done all year and keep improving from past performances,” he said.

“One of our strengths is the kick-chase and we will want to get down the other end as soon as possible and keep Lithgow in their half. We’ll make sure we minimise our mistakes coming off our own line too. We just have to play with common sense.”

In round two of the Group 10 season the Lithgow ladies were too strong for Mudgee. By the time both sides met again in late June a lot had changed and Mudgee ran out victors.

“When we played Lithgow early in the season we were still learning what league tag was all about,” Giammarco said.

“But we probably surprised them when we won in Mudgee. We were moving up, cutting them off and playing some good footy.”

Mudgee are a definite dark horse in the competition after beating second and third placed Orange CYMS and Bathurst St Pat’s recently. The Dragons also went down in the final minutes to Bathurst Panthers who have not been beaten in two years.

The Dragons ladies currently have three key players in doubt for Sunday’s semi-final with each having fingers in splints or braces but Giammarco said his best side on the park will be keen to advance for an opportunity to play either Pat’s or CYMS.

Sunday’s women’s league tag elimination semi-final begins at 10.30am at Glen Willow Regional Sports Stadium.