Christie-Johnston wants revenge.

Last year in the inaugural Country Rugby League league tag series, Western had its campaign end in the opening round when handed a 30-6 loss at the hands of the Southern Stars.

Many of those same players will line up against the Rams in the Group 7-Illawarra team this Saturday. Western’s rivals also include a former Group 10 talent in Olivia Patterson.

“We’re all pretty stoked with making the semi-final. It’s a huge achievement already, so whatever happens from here is just going to be a bonus. We are going to have a really good crack at it and hopefully we can make the final,” Christie-Johnston said.

“They were the team that knocked us out last year, so there’s a bit of revenge we’ll be seeking. We want to get that win this year.

“They ended up making the final, so they were kind of the benchmark last year. We just weren’t expecting what they threw at us.

“This year we know what to expect and we’ve been playing at that level. Having two games under our belt as well will help.”

A lack of speed was what hurt the Rams last season, but this year that problem has been rectified. It was a quality that coach Mick Armstrong specifically targeted and the skipper said it is not the only asset her side boasts.

“We’ve got speed across the park, but also ability. There are not one or two key players, we have got a team of key players and everyone has speed,” Bathurst Panther Christie-Johnston said.

“That has has been big advantage for us in these last couple of games, we have been playing some fast and intense league tag. Hopefully that’s going to keep us going.

“Our game plan obviously is to come out firing, get the momentum and have that intensity from the get go. We have sometimes slackened off towards the end of our halves with fatigue, but our aim is to get that intensity and maintain it for the whole game.”

Intensity is certainly something the skipper will be looking to show, Christie-Johnston keen to inspire her team-mates with her own actions. Though surprised to be named as captain after starting from the bench last season, she treats the role seriously.

“When he [Armstrong] announced it, I was a bit thrown back and shocked, but obviously I am happy with the role and proud to be captain of the team, they are a great bunch of girls,” she said.

“In any sort of team you push yourself, but as captain you don’t want to let anyone down. As a captain it makes you more eager to try that little bit harder.

“We are gelling really well. It is good to have some of the [Bathurst] Panthers girls to work alongside, but as a team as a whole, there is a really good team vibe.

“We are all getting along well both on an off the field, we are gelling well and there’s a good bit of banter there as well. With that team morale, we are giving that bit extra as well because we care about each other and we want to give the best for each other.”

The semi-final will be played at Raiders Belconnen.