BERNIE Harrower finds it hard to compare eras when it comes to talent, but there’s one ingredient this year’s Bendigo Lady Braves have that compares favourably with Harrower’s great SEABL teams of the past – unity.
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Before embarking on a successful WNBL coaching career, Harrower led the Lady Braves in the SEABL for 13 years, winning five conference titles and two ABA national championships.
Some of those teams had more talent than others, but one thing they all had was great team chemistry.
Harrower is back on the Lady Braves bench this year assisting coach Jonathan Goodman and he couldn’t help but be impressed by how well the team has gelled.
“Jono has the same philosophies as I do. It’s not about how good the individual is, it’s about how the team plays together,’’ Harrower said.
“We pride ourselves on our teams being great teams.
“When we’ve had players missing this year we’ve won some games against teams that have had more talent than us.
“We’ve got the job done because the players get on so well together.
“If you want to win a championship you have to that team bond. If you don’t have it, it makes it very hard to win.
“We don’t have egos in this group. It’s all about the team.”
The Lady Braves have the opportunity to add another conference title to the trophy cabinet on Saturday night at Bendigo Stadium when they host the Kilsyth Lady Cobras in the women’s south conference final.
Harrower said the Lady Braves defensive intensity would decide the final.
“The first time we played Kilsyth this year they scored 102 points against us,’’ Harrower said.
“In the semi-final we kept them to 60 points. It just shows how much our defence has come together in the second half of the season.”
Tickets for Saturday night’s final are still available from the Bendigo Stadium box office. Tip-off is 7pm.