South Sydney Rabbitohs women's team Head Coach Danny Allende is glad to have a full team back together after a hectic midseason schedule.
With injuries and rep matches happening all at once the Red and Green's stocks have been well and truly down but with all that passing, Allende now has close to a full complement of players heading into tonight's training session.
"The main focus tonight is getting a full team together for the first time in a long time," Allende laughed.
"But the focus now is to regroup and to try and get back to where we were at the start of the year.
"We've done the hard work but now it's about consolidating and doing all the small things we pride ourselves on and just reset our goals."
With just two matches left to play after this weekend the excitement around the first placed Rabbitohs camp is electric but also composed, which Allende puts down to the incredible experience in the squad.
"A lot of the girls are pretty experienced now so I'm quite fortunate that a lot of the girls have been through the finals process the last two years so they know exactly where they are and where they need to be," said Allende.
"It's not as hard to keep a lid on it because they know what it's like to lose finals and semi-finals but also what it's like winning, so for me as a coach I'm pretty blessed that I've got some really experienced players who can keep a lid on things."
Returning to the field this weekend are the five Rabbitohs stars who played their part in the first ever Women's State of Origin match and for Allende their return is welcomed boost against a fast finishing Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs outfit.
"Eliana Walton who was the vice-captain for the Blues had a really good game on Wednesday night so she will be coming back with a lot of good form," said Allende.
"Their forward pack is very willing and formidable, Round 1 is out the window and I know they will be looking to get on a run heading into the finals."
Along with the returning rep stars Allende revealed that there may be a potential debut for a young talented front rower.
Moniqua Moale first trialled with the Rabbitohs in the pre-season but wasn't quite ready as she was recovering from an ACL injury, however, with a strong season under her belts, Allende believes she is ready for the next step.
"We've called up Moniqua Moale, she's a young Mascot junior," said Allende.
"She trialled with us earlier on but she was coming back from an ACL so she wasn't quite ready but she's been playing some really good footy over the last few months so she's earned her spot and she could find herself in the team come Saturday.
"She's a front rower and very new to this level but I've got no doubt she'll be able to handle it."
