MICK Schmiedel believes his Greater Northern Tigers women's tackle side is an improving squad of players who will benefit greatly from another training run in Tamworth on Sunday.
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The squad then heads to Lismore the following weekend to play their first-round Country Championship match against the Northern Rivers Titans.
Last Saturday the squad had a trial game against Newcastle at Farrer's John Simpson Oval (where they will train at from 9.30am on Sunday) and while they lost that game 12-8 (three tries to two), there were some encouraging signs.
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"We were down three tries to nil in the first period of 20 minutes," Schmiedel said. "That first 20 minutes, we were dodgy. But after that, we were very good.
"We had a chat at the break and I was very happy with how the girls responded.
"I'd set them two goals: win the ruck and increase their energy. We were very flat in that first 20 minutes but improved a great deal. Every time I sent a message out they responded."
Schmiedel is looking forward to Saturday week's first-round clash at Lismore but is yet to finalise his 18-player squad.
That will be decided at training on Sunday. And while they will take a 17-player squad, plus an 18th reserve, to Lisemore, he is trying to keep a 20-player squad together to cover injuries.
He has been impressed by a number of players in his squad. Katy Brown, he said, was "outstanding" in last Saturday's trial.
"I thought she was ... the best player on the paddock. She had a very strong game," he said.
"Lucy Prudden was also very good on the wing. [She] did a lot of good things and went looking for work."
He said that Gaynor Blackadder, Antoinette Wenner, Caitlyn Aubrey and captain Amy Barraclough also excelled.
"Amy's our captain and she took control of the game. But we really didn't have a bad performer," he said.
