THERE will be no second chances for Balranald or the Mallee Eagles when they go head-to-head in the A Grade elimination final this Sunday.
Both sides were on the edge of the top five throughout the season, unable to cement their finals spots until the last weeks of the home-and-away rounds.
While some may assume an added layer of pressure on the Roos to defend their premiership crown, coach Jess Parry believed her team was experiencing just a normal amount of finals nerves.
“Last year the competition was really tight and we had to fight tooth and nail to actually come away as premiers,” she said.
“Going into this year, I think we knew that just because we won or played finals last year didn’t mean we were going to this year, and looking at the recruitment in the off season from some of the other teams, we didn’t go in expecting to be the top team by any means.
“We would have liked to have been, but it didn’t go that way, and we just had the goal that we wanted to make finals and give defending the premiership a bit of a crack.”
Eagles coach Meg Allen told The Guardian she too felt the top five was very close this year and she was pleased her team had a chance to play in the finals.
“Obviously being in an elimination final puts a little more pressure on in the sense that you lose and you’re out, but I do think that any of the top five could take it out, so hopefully we can do everything we can to put us at the best chance of being that team,” she said.
Only the tiniest percentage could separate the Roos and the Eagles throughout the season, both finishing with 10 wins and six losses.
The results aren’t all that surprising when you look at the style of both sides on the court – each likes to play fast-paced, clinical netball, and have the depth to be able to change at a moment’s notice to adapt to their opponents.
For the Eagles, this versatility will be an instrumental part of their game plan for Sunday.
“We have got a really good strength in our bench which will be helpful,” Allen said.
“But even just with players that are on court, we will be working on versatility for ourselves so it makes it harder for them to play on us, so that we are not just doing the same set style.
“If we want to play back or want to play front or playing a holding game, then we can change it up throughout the quarters.”
For the Roos, a lot of focus will be in their defence end, and in particular on defender Elli Brougham as she faces one of the league’s most prolific shooters in Kellie Walker.
But Parry was confident they were up to the task.
“Our girls, we probably had one of the best runs into finals through the home-and-away season, having played Lake Boga, Woorinen and Swan Hill in the last four weeks,” Parry said.
“So I think our defenders have really been challenged and from a coaching point of view they have really stepped up to that challenge, so I think they are as prepped and ready to go as they are going to be.
“I don’t think there is going to be one area of the court that is going to win it or lose it by any means – it’s going to be a full court effort.”
TIP – Balranald by two goals.
HEAD TO HEAD
When the two sides last played each other in round 9, the Mallee Eagles narrowly beat Balranald by two goals, despite being behind for most of the match. The Eagles dug deep in the last quarter of the match to capitalise on every turnover, and it will likely be a similar situation for both sides, with every momentum shift critical.
KEY MATCH-UP
Elli Brougham and Kellie Walker
Both Brougham and Walker are two of their respective sides’ most key players, and spectators will be keen to see how the pair plays against each other. While normally Walker towers over her opponents, meaning she can play a holding style of netball in the ring, Brougham is one of the taller defenders in the league and can stop overhead passes with ease. The Eagles’ ring will have to adapt to this and work extra hard to make sure they are in front of their defenders to ensure they don’t lose crucial scoring opportunities.
MALLEE EAGLES KEY PLAYER
Laura Fay
Joining the Eagles A Grade line-up this season, Fay has continued to grow as a defender, combining well with goal keeper Sarah Young to shut down some of the league’s best shooting duos. Fay will have the big task of trying to shut down Balranald coach and shooter Jess Parry.
BALRANALD KEY PLAYER
Bonnie Jolliffe
Often found in the Roos’ midcourt, Jolliffe is quick and agile through the centre, and has the ability to dictate the pace of the game. As a centre-court player, she will play a decisive role in both attack and defence, needing to be able to switch at a moment’s notice.
