Poochettes to resume rivalry with Saints

The Gunnedah Poochettes are sweating on player availability as round one of the AFL North West senior women’s competition starts on Saturday.

Gunnedah is likely to miss four or five players due to other commitments, for the season-opening clash with the Inverell Saints on Inverell soil.

Poochettes coach John Woolaston said there should be enough players for a starting team although there might not be any subs, in which case the fitness of the Poochettes would be tested.

With the Poochettes having had pre-season hit-outs against Dubbo and Parkes a few weeks ago, Woolaston said he was happy with the team’s pre-season.

Woolaston said the skills of the Poochettes and “how we’re starting to support and back each other up” were positives.

Woolaston identified quick disposals as a key aspect, as well as “how they’re going to handle the pressure…and if they need support straight away or dispose of the ball”.

Although most of the Poochettes in this Saturday’s line-up had played in the pre-season hit-outs, two exceptions will be Myah Gibson and Zoe Law after this duo played in the local 9s competition during February.

With the Poochettes and Saints having gone head-to-head in the past three grand finals and Inverell reigning supreme in 2022 and 2024, Woolaston insisted this Saturday was not about redemption.

After the Saints won last year’s decider 4.4.28 to 3.4.22, Woolaston said “you remember it but it’s not something you take into this season”.

Woolaston said there were player changes for both teams, while he hadn’t seen Inverell’s list.