GAME ON: Orange Waratahs' Tim Curran (right) takes on a Dubbo FC defender. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 0520tahs10
ORANGE Waratahs coach Gary Davidson isn’t getting worked up over Sunday’s Western Premier League grand final.
Waratahs will take on Dubbo FC in the first grade decider in Orange.
“We’ll have the same training. It’ll be a little bit lighter,” Davidson said.
“Thursday will be a bit of fun. If we haven’t got the skills and fitness levels up by now, it’s too late. We’ll still do a lot of ball work.”
The Waratahs mentor said he wasn’t putting any pressure on his players ahead of Sunday’s grand final as they’re still considered the underdogs.
Davidson said all the expectations were on minor premiers and defending champions Dubbo FC.
“They’re probably the ones with the pressure on them,” he said.
“You’d think the minor premiers would have hosted the grand final.”
Waratahs were the first team into Sunday’s decider when they downed the Bulls 3-2 in extra-time in the major semi-final.
The victory came at a cost with key player Tim Davidson receiving his second yellow card which became an automatic red card.
This means Davidson has to sit out the grand final with an automatic one-match suspension.
The Orange side will also be without Andrew Lundie, plus a few players are carrying injuries.
All this means Davidson will delay selecting his grand final team for as long as possible.
“We won’t rush into it. We probably won’t pick a team until Saturday,” Davidson said.
“We have a few injuries as well so we’ll have to see who’s able to play a who’s not.
“In saying that, the guys who are there can fill in. I’ll sit down with the reserve grade coach Brad Apps, because they’re in the grand final too, and we’ll work it out.”
Waratahs might have a lighter week but Davidson said the players won’t be taking FC lightly on Sunday.
“We’ll have to be switched on from the first minute,” he said.
“We have to go out from the first whistle and go hard. The boys will be motivated. They’ll want to do it for Tim and Lundie too.”
Waratahs and Dubbo FC will also clash in the reserve grade decider.
Orange Waratahs will host the WPL grand finals with the under 18s, Dubbo FC and Orana Spurs, kicking off at 10am, reserve grade at 12pm and first grade at 2pm.
