While Lightning may be finishing their season up earlier than some, the job is far from done for the Sunshine Coast team.
Playing their last home game of the season this Sunday against the Collingwood Magpies, Lightning are determined to disrupt the Melbourne side’s journey to finals.
Lightning Head Coach Kylee Byrne said the team wants to win the final two games of the season for a number of reasons.
“We sat down at the start of the week and identified what these two weeks were about, and there’s so many different reasons why we’re playing. One of the biggest reasons is to move up the ladder and get ourselves off that bottom spot which we know we’re capable of and we’re better than sitting there,” she said.
“It’s also important for us to win at home and reward our fans and Members for the support they’ve shown and continue to show this season.
“The Magpies need to win this game to get into finals, so we know how big this game is for them.”
Lightning have proven their ability to take it to any team this season and come back from significant deficits.
“To match the Vixens who are sitting at the top of the table and been so consistent this year — only dropping two games — not only could we have won but I thought we should have won at some points as well,” Kylee said.
“To be eight goals down and to come back and show that fight — that’s what this team is about. It feels like this group of athletes aren’t going to let those big losses happen anymore.
“It’s something we talk about daily — as long as we get in there, compete and contest every ball, and we’re there with the fight, then we can beat anyone.”
Playing the last home game of the season during First Nations round adds an extra element to the significance of the upcoming match.
“Being part of this round is very special to the athletes. We talked a lot this week about why we’re involved in First Nations round and why it’s so important to support and raise awareness for our local mobs and Members here on the Sunshine Coast as well,” Kylee said.
