This weekend is a mini-semi final before the finals of the AFL Southern NSW Women's competition when the Griffith Swans travel to take on East Wagga Kooringal on Friday night.
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It was a tough result for the Swans last week against Charles Sturt Univerisity, but coach Trevor Richards feels his side are in a better position heading into this weekend.
"Normally would play 16-a-side, but we played 15 each, and they had seven sitting on the bench running on and off, and they were fresh the whole time, and we were missing as much as anything else a bit of experience," he said.
"I worked out this year that we have eight or nine girls that have played women's AFL before this season, and the other night, I think we only had four.
"Don't get me wrong, CSU are a good side, and they are strong all over the paddock. From their first player to last, there isn't a real big drop off."
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Richards said of the 26 players registered for the Swans, only three are currently unavailable for the clash with the Hawks, which is a far better situation compared to the eleven who missed the clash with CSU.
The Swans coach also wondered if it was time for the competition to introduce a proper finals series rather than just the playoffs for position on the final night.
"I think it is worthwhile considering," he said.
"With eight teams in the comp now, it's not like the first couple of years where we only had four or five teams. There were only a couple of strong sides then but looking at the results at the moment, there are probably five or six teams that are competitive at least.
"Especially with a new sport that a lot of the girls are trying for the first time, it would be nice to actually get to finals and have the opportunity to move up, not basically if you lose a couple of games early on, and that can happen just because you have people away, then all of a sudden you can't make the grand final regardless."
The clash between the Swans and Hawks will get underway at 7.30pm on Friday.
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