AFLW senior coach Trent Cooper believes that navigating through the current covid situation heading into this week’s preliminary final against Adelaide has been more stressful than when the team was denied a preliminary final back in 2020.
  
“We’re on the edge,” Cooper told NOVA on Wednesday morning.

“Last time (2020), it just sort of happened and it was like a sledgehammer. 

“This time, it's like the darkness is all around us everywhere, which makes it very different. 

“The rest of the world is getting on with things but in the sporting landscape everyone's on edge at the moment.”

Cooper says you don’t have to look too far down the road to see how quickly covid can derail a side, which is why the team is taking extreme measures to ensure they have the best available players for Saturday’s do-or-die match.

“It's obvious you see what's happening with West Coast men’s side and our boy’s side as well,” Cooper said.

“It's really difficult times and our girls go to work as well.

“We are a very unsociable lot at the moment, it's straight home, don’t pass go and do not collect $200. 

“We do this just to try to stay safe as possible for an extra, hopefully, week and a half.” 

After winning their first four games, the Club ended up with seven wins and three losses and finished fifth on the NAB AFLW Premiership ladder by percentage, losing their opportunity to host a home final.

But Cooper believes the team has embraced the road trips, given the year they have had, and are ready to take on quality opposition.

“It was really disappointing for our fans, we have a great purple army who give us great support, whether it's at Fremantle Oval or Optus Stadium,” Cooper said.

“That was the biggest disappointing factor in not getting home finals, but we've embraced being on the road.

“We were away in a hub for quite a few weeks, we've played five games in Victoria this year and one of the more teams that have, which is quite a remarkable record.

“So off to Adelaide Oval this week, so we're embracing that and it's good fun to get away together.

“The group have got a really good mix of knowing when to relax and when to really switch on.

“(Adelaide) has been the benchmark in the competition since it began. 

“We know how tough they are, but they beat us on our home deck a few weeks ago, but we've got a few ins since that game and so they as well. 

“If we play as well as what we did against North Melbourne, we give ourselves every chance. 

“We know that we have to play at our best to be a chance but we're in a really good headspace at this stage and physically fit. 

“So we think we're primed and ready to give it a good crack.”