FOR the second year in a row Swan Hill and Tooleybuc Manangatang will compete for the Central Murray Football Netball League premiership.
The Swans have reached tomorrow’s decider without dropping a game all season, while the Saints’ one loss in the home and away season was to the Swans.
Swan Hill won the second semi-final by 14 goals, about half the margin of the round 10 match.
There will be stars right across the court for both sides.
For the Swans, centre Kelsey McCoy and coach Madeleine Foott finished one and two in the league best and fairest and will be crucial to the result.
For the Saints, coach Mel Wait topped the league goal scorers this season and her accuracy will be vital for Tooleybuc Manangatang to cause an upset.
The form of Identity of the Year Julie Wardle will also be important to the result for the Saints, as will that of sisters Laura and Amy Zanker.
Saints coach Melanie Wait said her side had had a good year in which they’d tried to ensure consistency of effort from week to week.
“We’ve focussed on trying to have four consistent quarters,” she said.
“We made a few mistakes and their attacking was much better,” Wait said.
In the second semi-final Tooleybuc Manangatang were able to stay with the Swans for parts of the match, Wait said.
“Everyone just needs to play their role tomorrow,” she said.
“We’re really excited about the opportunity to play in a grand final and even though we’ve got some young players they’re also excited.”
Foott also said the second semi-final had been a tight contest.
“I felt the score didn’t reflect the intensity of it. It was a lot closer than what it finished up on the scoreboard,” she said.
Working hard at training during tthe week had been key to the Swans’ successful season, Foott said.
Foott said that while McCoy had been deserving of accolades for her season, the Swans benefited from an even team.
“Each player has stepped up when we’ve needed them to,” she said.
Sheridan’s tip: Swan Hill.
