Essendon Mazda Coach’s Comment: Battiato up for big test against Spring Hills

Senior Women’s Coach Vince Battiato is expecting one of his toughest tests yet with the Essendon Royals when his side takes on Spring Hills Stallions on Sunday night.

After getting off to a great start last weekend, the Royals are flying high but Battiato is wary of a Spring Hills outfit out to protect their stronghold over a top-two position from last season.

“I’m expecting one of the toughest games we’ve had to date,” he said.

“I had a bit of a sticky beak at their game last week and whilst they were maybe lucky to win in the end and weren’t at their best, I put that down to early-season cobwebs.

“I doubt they will play like that two weeks in a row.

“They will come to Cross Keys hungry to beat us as they will know that we are one of the biggest threats to their top-two position and promotion, so they’ll be pumped to play us on Sunday.”

Battiato is contesting with some severe selection headaches, with some incredible performances in the Reserves, but admitted it would be hard to make too many, if any, changes to the senior starting XI after a dominant 9-0 display.

“Despite the huge headache it poses, I’m happy to have it,” he said.

“At the end of the day, it’s made a bit easier by the performance of the seniors, because it would be hard to drop anyone from that side, but the pressure from the reserves is exactly what I want.

“We had Kiana Kyriazis score four goals in the Reserves and Bruna Silva managed four assists, but when the seniors go out and win 9-0 in the next game, it’s just about managing the squad.

“The pleasing part for me is that everyone is in this together and everyone understands that during the season they’ll all have an important role to play.”