Tigers coach Jude Coleman on guiding Tasmania back to third-straight home WNCL final

Tasmanian Tigers coach Jude Coleman has spoken on why another WNCL title would create a ‘legacy’ for her team and why this year’s final means a little more to her.

They’ve already created history with two straight WNCL titles but Tasmanian Tigers coach Jude Coleman says walking away with another on Saturday would mean creating a long lasting legacy.

After defeating South Australia in the last two WNCL grand finals, the Tigers will now look to etch their names in history should they be able to defeat Queensland for the illusive three-peat.

Tasmanian Tigers coach Jude Coleman has led her side to a third-straight grand final. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

It’s a remarkable feat for a side that was once the competition’s easy beats with Coleman urging her experienced group to embrace the hype while also understanding they will need to be at their best to beat the Fire.

“We spoke about creating a legacy down here and this would be big step towards doing that,” Coleman said.

“We still have a huge game in front of us before we talk about that though, so we will just be focused on the game but it will certainly mean a massive amount of to this group if we can do it.

“We have a little bit of pressure on us but what a privilege that is, to be in this situation. We have worked really hard to get here so let’s embrace it and enjoy it.”

After former coach Salliann Beams lead the Tigers to their first WNCL title back in 2021-22, Coleman joined Cricket Tasmania as women’s head coach following Beams’ switch to High Performance Manager midway through last season.

Between Beams’ switch and Coleman’s arrival, Dan Marsh took the reins in an interim capacity and while she was the official coach for last year’s final win, Coleman said this year did feel different given it was her first full season in charge.

Tasmanian Tigers players celebrate the win with the trophy during the WNCL Final match between Tasmania and South Australia at Blundstone Arena, on February 25, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

“The girls have been giving me grief all week that the last thing I posted on social media was something from the (Adelaide) Strikers when I coached there and that I didn’t post after the win last year but I said last year I felt like it wasn’t my team,” Coleman said.

“I’d come in and ‘Sal’ and Dan had done all the hard work and I was just along for the ride. This year I’ve obviously had a lot more to do with it so the girls do feel more like my team, so I’ve told them if they win they’ll get a post.

“It is gratifying (to get them back here), but it is a team effort. I’ve got a lot of great people around me, a great group of players and the support staff are just amazing so it is certainly a team effort and I’m really proud of everyone for getting us back to this spot.”

Saturday’s final kicks off at 2.05pm with free entry for all spectators.