Cockburn Cougars star Steph Gorman will use undefeated season as inspiration in NBL1 West Grand Final

Cockburn Cougars star Steph Gorman has declared her team’s quest for a perfect season will provide confidence and inspiration during Saturday night’s NBL1 West Grand Final instead of becoming added pressure. The Cougars have had an incredible season, winning all 20 of their regular-season games and two finals, including a barnstorming 27-point victory during last week’s preliminary final. Cockburn trounced grand final opponents Warwick by 45 points less than three weeks ago. Cockburn won the championship in 2023, so they know how to handle the big stage, but they also lost last season’s grand final. Gorman said every game this season had been built around performing at an elite standard, which would have them ready to hold up the trophy on Saturday night. “It gives us a lot of confidence going in knowing we can consistently perform,” Gorman told The West Australian. “But focusing on where we are now, taking it one moment at a time and doing what we normally do is really important going into this game. “Our culture is about the group staying together and knowing our values and what is important to us. That’s been huge and so has having that experience together.” The Cougars ability to back up their form across multiple seasons has made them a NBL1 West force. A defensive weapon for Perth Lynx, Gorman believes having the experience of winning a grand final, losing a grand final and playing on the big stage of RAC Arena during that time will be crucial. “Any experience you have is helpful because it’s not our first experience going into it. That’s definitely helpful. Playing at RAC Arena is huge. Doing it last year will help everyone with nerves,” she said. “I’ll just try to keep my routine as normal as possible because that’s helped me to get this far. I want to do the same stuff and stay as calm as possible. “I always try my best to do that. I’ve always been pretty calm but nerves do come in. It’s been a learning process for me to understand how to keep them under control and get the best out of myself.”