Giants’ women still focused on play-offs run

Goldfields Giants coach Rob Thomson insists his players haven’t “put the cue in the rack” as they make a last-ditch bid for the women’s NBL1 finals.

Saturday’s clash against Cockburn at Niels Hansen Stadium is the squad’s last home game before rounding out the qualifiers next weekend against Perth.

Despite splitting last weekend’s road trip, Goldfields take on the fifth-placed Cougars one game and percentage outside the top eight.

The task will be made harder in the absence of young guard Alex Clinch-Hoycard, who sustained concussion last weekend.

Haley Waites is expected to undergo a fitness test on Saturday morning for her strained ankle, but is considered only a 50 per cent chance of playing.

Thomson, however, said the group was committed to notching two wins while hoping other results fell their way.

“Our extensive list of injuries has provided more minutes for back-up players Elena Scafidi, Ash Sidebottom and Kiriana Hawaikirangi,” he said.

“We just continue to fight each game out and are being tested at the moment on many levels, but the response has been extremely encouraging.

“It’s all part of a journey that we have started together and will help us going forward.”

Cockburn make the trip boasting an 11-7 win-loss record.

“The Cougars are playing finals and will be looking for a solid hit-out to fine tune their game plan,” Thomson said.

“But we take a lot of confidence from our Mandurah game last weekend, even though we lost, to compete the same way against a top-four side and nearly cause an upset.

“They (Cockburn) have some sharpshooters in Jewel Marie Williams, Haylee De Sousa and Katharine Tudor.

“Each of them love shooting the three-pointer, so we need to make sure they’re contested shots and not allow them to get their confidence up.

“Jessie Edwards, who is 192cm, has just been signed with the Perth Lynx and is a dominant player inside the keyway so (Giants import) Amanda Wayment has a huge task limiting her impact.”