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Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons coach Tahnee Norris said her side knows what they need to do to avoid a series whitewash and are ready for the challenge that awaits them in Newcastle for Game Three.
“We don't want the whitewash, the girls are ready for it,” Norris said.
“They know that there's no such thing as a dead rubber in in Origin football, so they're looking forward to the clash in Newcastle.
“There's pride in the jersey at the moment, so they know that and that's fully what they're going into Newcastle with is the pride in the jersey and making sure that doesn't happen.
“I think you have only got to see the stats that defensively, we weren't great through the middle of the field especially, so we need to pick up on our defensive efforts.
“And through the middle, we need to play better through the middle of the field so we can gain some momentum and give it to our strike power out wide.
“We have to be better through the middle of the field and the girls know that as well.
“The forwards have been given a challenge for this game to really stand up and hopefully make an impact.”
Forced in a major reshuffle of the side with injuries ruling out co-captain and fullback Tamika Upton and key forward Keilee Joseph, Norris has handed debut jerseys to Hayley Maddick and rising half Georgia Hannaway, who will perform a utility role off the bench.
“Two big losses for us, but it just means that it's the next person up,” Norris said.
“With Hayley Maddick going in for us, I think that's a like for like with us with that fullback position.
“She was really strong last year for the Broncos and really similar player in attack that Tamika gives as well, so I'm really looking forward to see Hayley make her debut, that's for sure.
“(With Hannaway) I think you know if you watch the grand final in the NRLW last year and what she did in that second half of the grand final, the way she performed, she's a real fighter in the game and that's what I'm really looking forward to using her in a utility role and see what she can produce.
“She just wants her hands on the on the ball as well and I think she offers a lot of versatility.
“She can play in a couple of different roles for us. I'm looking forward to seeing what she can produce.”
With Joseph out of the side, captain Ali Brigginshaw has been shifted to lock, versatile Titans star Lauren Brown has moved from hooker to partner Tarryn Aiken in the halves.
“I think we need to change after Game Two, things weren't exactly working out for us, so putting Ali back to a lock position, which she's already played in before, she's confident in that role,” Norris said.
“I'm looking forward to what she can do through the middle of the field.
“It means she gets more ball in her hands, which is great, that's what we need too.
“Loz Brown, she plays number 7 for the Titans as well, so she's a natural in that position (and) it was an easy change for us, but something that we needed to do.
“Hopefully it'll bring out the best in Ali’s game and it'll mean that she'll get some more ball in hand.”
Match: Blues Women v Maroons
Game 3 -
home Team
Blues Women
away Team
Maroons
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
