TWO of the best Central Murray netball clubs will go head to head in an exciting grand final with Woorinen looking to conf rm themselves as the best side of the past two years.
Two years ago, Swan Hill got the better of the Tigers in the grand final, meaning redemption of that loss could be just 24 hours away for the defending premiers.
The Swans have created a traditional Central Murray netballing dynasty, but Woorinen have one hand on that mantle as they look to continue building their formidable empire.
Tigers coach Tessa Burton said her side was back to full strength and would be a formidable task for the Swans, who beat her side in earlier rounds.
“We are a different team and got back to full strength heading into the fi nals, for us it is business as usual and going back to the basics and fundamentals,” she said.
“I think for us (winning the competition will be about) bringing something back to our club which is in the rebuilding process, but to do that we need to focus as if its just another game.
“Regardless of the result, it has been a successful season in its own right and hopefully we can get the win to top it all off.”
On the other bench is Swans coach Madeleine Nalder, an experienced fi nals campaigner, and she said her side was feeling ready for the challenge ahead.
“We have had a good training week this week and we are looking forward to the game, and obviously we are there to win the grand fi nal but we are recognising they have been a fantastic side for a few years,” she said.
“Everyone needs to play well in the grand fi nal and do their part, play their role. We are concentrating on our game, they are a fantastic side so we need to make sure we are on our game from the word go.
“But grand fi nals aren’t over until they are over. It is about playing consistently across four quarters, even if you do have the lead, sometimes it can be taken away.
“Each time we have played them it has been a great tussle and tomorrow will be no different.”
The contests across the court will be tough with some to come away with a few bruises.
The ever-dominant Tigers goalie Tayla Stanley had a cracking match in the semi-fi nals against Tooleybuc Manangatang, but Swan Hill’s Christine Ewart and Imogen Foott have been the cornerstone of the maroon defence.
While on the other end of the court, Tiger defenders Tessa Burton and Madeleine Jeans — one of four runners-up for the bestand fairest medal — will match up against straight shooting Ingrid Condely and her reliable shooting partner Emily Patterson for the Swans.
Through the middle, it will be another tough clash with another best and fairest runner up in Swan Hill’s Kelsey McCoy playing on the win, linking with the always present Zoe O’Sullivan and Naomi Dullard.
Woorinen’s Jaclyn Rivett will link with Jessica Bedggood and Chelsea Watson through the middle, with a fast, tough game on the cards.
The ledger is all square in 2016, with the Swans infl icting the Tigers’ only loss of the season in round 15 43-34.
Earlier in the year, the Swans were put away by Woorinen in a 43-30 loss
