Collingwood’s VFLW coach, Penny Cula-Reid, says her team is eager to run out on Adcon Stadium for Saturday’s semi-final against the Bulldogs.

“After the game on the weekend the girls now have the belief in what we are doing and we’re all excited”, Cula-Reid told collingwoodfc.com.au.

“With the boys also playing on Friday night, the environment around the club is really positive.” 

A win on Saturday would grant the Pies a ticket into the VFLW Grand Final, while a loss would see them face the Southern Saints or Melbourne Uni in a preliminary final.

The semi-final will mark the two sides’ first encounter since round seven when the Pies dished out a 74-point thrashing in Morwell.

“I have a feeling both sides will look a bit different moving into the finals series”, Cula-Reid said.

“The Dogs have a phenomenal outfit. They didn’t win the 2018 AFLW Grand Final without the class of players that they have.

“Even losing a few of their best, they still have some really good players in there.”

While Cula-Reid says there’ll be a greater emphasis on skill execution under pressure of the finals, preparations for the game remain the same.

“We are really excited about the challenge that we have in front of us and again we’ll approach this game like we have every other.”

“We can only focus and control what we can so we’ll be determined and clear of what we want from our players and staff.”

While a win on the weekend is the ultimate goal, Cula-Reid remains positive that this weekend’s final is another opportunity for her players to learn and develop.

“Finals footy is not to be played in a safe manner. You take the risks, sometimes it pays off and some times it doesn’t.

“It’s what we do and how we can play our game style under the pressure. 

“But it’s also about learning to adapt to the situation whether that’s environmental, the umpires or the opposition.”

At the end of the day, the coach will be reminding her players to soak up the moment and enjoy every minute of the finals series.

“We have the chance to embrace the moment because finals footy doesn’t happen very often and it goes so quickly so just enjoy it.”