Fusion Heat is already the side no-one wants to play due to its quality, but captain Tash Robinson wants her team to not even allow the opposition to feel comfortable on the court.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The undefeated minor premiers prepared for the Rawson Homes Premiership finals in style, downing Fusion Giants by an utterly dominant 42 goals in Saturday’s last round.
Robinson was delighted with Heat’s performance, feeling it was the perfect effort before this weekend’s bumper major semi-final clash with St Collegians.
“For us in finals, the biggest strength is we can start strong, build pressure and keep it on for the full 60 minutes,” she said.
“It’s tiring when you’re playing against a team that builds pressure for the full 60 minutes so for us to be that team is a good thing.”
While Heat were delivering a near-complete performance at the Nita McGrath courts on the weekend, St Collegians were resting up and enjoying the bye.
For much of the season they have been the top two sides so it comes as little surprise they meet in the major semi-final with a spot in the September 15 decider on the line.
“We knew they were going steady as well and would most likely finish second,” Robinson said.
“It’s going to be a tough game but hopefully we can get there.”
If the Heat attack is anything like it was on the weekend then they are every chance of advancing straight to the grand final.
Michelle Regan delivered one of her most powerful displays of shooting while Ally McLean was again a constant threat.
The performance and confidence of those two attackers is something which Robinson said flows throughout the whole team.
“Michelle was just on all game and there was very few shots she missed,” Robinson said.
“And those few she did miss she was then very strong on the rebounds so having her in form before finals is great and Ally McLean is always reliable.”
While those shooting were in fine form, the whole side was commanding right from the start on Saturday.
That hasn’t always the case and that ability to build pressure and make the other team have to work for every pass and every rebound is something that has been worked on as the season has progressed.
“At the start of the season we didn’t start games as well as we would have liked,” Robinson said.
“We would come home strong but in the last three or four weeks we’ve been starting really well and building that momentum across the 60 minutes.”
While the thought of the unbeaten top team getting even better may seem like a scary thought for opposition sides, Robinson is adamant it doesn’t mean her side is a certainty to win, or even make, the grand final.
“We have confidence in our form going into the finals but we know Collegians is a top team and they’re going to come out bigger and better,” she said.
“We’re not resting on the fact we’ve beaten the twice this season. Finals is a new slate and the focus is on our game and getting over the line.”
The last meeting between the two sides saw Heat win by just four goals.
While the two top sides meet in the major semi-final on Saturday, Fusion Vixens will take on Fusion Giants in the minor semi-final.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
