A VASTLY under strength Kinross-CYMS team heads to Dubbo for Saturday’s clash with the Blue Jays, minus four stars including skipper Madie Smith.
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Smith underwent calf surgery yesterday for a circulation problem, while Mel Woods, Tania Jachi and Annabelle Probert are all unavailable for the clash.
“We are very light on,” Kinross-CYMS coach Pete Shea said.
“Honestly, without trying to sound negative, where we’re at if we can take any points at all from this game it will be a good result.”
After a strong performance in last week’s 1-all draw with Bathurst City, Shea said there is positives to come from the quartet’s absence.
“It does give some of the younger players a good opportunity,” he said.
“We’ve looked at this year as a whole in terms of development, and the younger players stepping into these roles [today] can get some experience, and hopefully learn from it for future games.
“I think we’ve actually over achieved in a way so far this season. With a group of 15, 16 and 17-year-olds we are competing with most of the top sides.”
Shea challenged several of his remaining players to take control on Saturday, before saying his side must keep it simple against a similarly inexperienced Dubbo unit.
“Ellen Van Hoek, Georgia Watson and Chloe Barrett will need to step up in particular,” he said.
“If we focus on the simple things, and do them well we can give them a run for their money.
“We just need to think about what we’re doing, and how we go about it. Focusing on the processes will help us get the outcome we want, but Dubbo will be tough.
“They’ll be much stronger here, we need to be switched on for the entire game.”
Woods, Jachi and Probert are expected to return next week, while Smith is out for an estimated six weeks.
matthew.findlay@fairfaxmedia.com.au