PREVIEW
The Golden Rivers A grade grand final is set to go down to the wire as Hay takes on Murrabit to decide who is crowned premiers.
Having finished last season on the bottom of the ladder, it’s been a meteoric rise for the Lions, with the reigning premiers Murrabit the only team now standing in their way.
While a win for Hay would be a history making occasion, the same can be said for the Blues, who will attempt to win their third consecutive premiership.
In all three encounters this season, Murrabit have had the better of Hay, however the Lions are firing and the Blues have suffered some injury blows, losing defender Kayla Casey in the first final against Ultima with an ACL injury.
The key will be how Murrabit stops powerhouse goal shooter Kellie Walker.
Walker has shot 592 goals this season from just 12 games, averaging just under 50 goals a game.
The Lions too have their work cut out for them in shutting down the likely goaling combination of Grace Gillingham, Emelia Shannahan and Montana Keating, who will all play.
Elly Bookham and Toni Rivett should be a great match-up in the mid court also, with both players having the fitness to run all day and are both clever ball users.
Throughout the season Murrabit have defeated Hay by decent margins, with the second time the two clubs clashed saw Hay without Walker, as the Blues banked a huge 40-goal win.
The last time they met it was a completely different ball game however, with the Blues victorious by just three-goals.
This is more likely to be what is expected tomorrow, with Murrabit losing key defender Kayla Casey from that win.
Hay are new to this type of ball game, having been on the bottom half of the Golden Rivers ladder for at least the past five years, whereas their competition in Murrabit are seasoned veterans of finals pressure.
They know how to get the job done and will go in as favourites to bank their third A grade premiership, with Hay needing to perform under pressure, something that could be an issue having shown in recent games that panic can set in when the game gets close.
The composure Murrabit show when games are on the line should see them take home the silverware, but it won’t be without a fight.
Tip – Murrabit to win by two goals.
KEY PLAYERS
MURRABIT
Montana Keating – Keating has the ability to turn a game inside out.
If goal shooter Grace Gillingham’s calf injury is not right, Keating will play and paired with Shannahan, the two will be very hard to beat as both are quick, smart and accurate goalers.
HAY
Kellie Walker – It’s hard to go past the season Walker has had, where in most games this season she has been the dominate goal scorer.
Walker towers over most of opposition defenders and can hold her body magnificently, with more than 2000 career goals, she has played in many a grand finals in the past and is sure to take her game to another level on Saturday.
KEY MATCH-UP
Emelia Shannahan (Murrabit) v Maddie Mannes (Hay)
The match-up of Murrabit’s goal attack and Hay’s star goal defender will be a netball lovers delight, with both players possessing incredible speed and athleticism that could win this contest.
Watch out for the attack end drive of Shannahan and her crafty ball use in the goal circle, while Mannes ability to pick off intercepts and put her body on the line makes her one to watch.
MURRABIT POSSIBLE LINE-UP
GS – Grace Gillingham – Tall and accurate goal shooter who has recently suffered a calf injury that has seen her sitting on the sidelines for the finals. Key player who the Blues need firing.
GA – Emelia Shannahan – Outstanding player who finished second in the Golden Rivers league best and fairest on Monday night. Accurate goalie and has speed to burn, Shannahan has been a major reason for Murrabit’s success this season. Very smart and agile.
WA – Steph Reeves – A returning Blue this season who uses her pace to burn off her opposition. Is a great ball user, with her second phase attack efforts crucial.
C – Elly Bookham – Murrabit coach who shows great composure and leadership, can run all day and is a strong feeder into her goalies.
WD – Lauren Morrow – No stranger to finals netball, Morrow can play any position on the court. Works tirelessly with great amounts of effort and can intercept at crucial moments to win a game.
GD – Mila Bray – Young superstar who has had an excellent season and is growing with each game. Can read the ball well and stays in play adding great defensive pressure.
GK – Aimee Sinclair – Has the big job on Walker, needs to play cleanly and build pressure defensively. Rebounds well but again, will need to be at her best.
Interchange –
Montana Keating – Returned mid season. Electric player who can shoot accurately. Will play both A and B grade and don’t be surprised if she gets a best on court medal in both.
Layla Morton – Young defender with some great pace. Has grown a lot this season with some senior experience. May play if the Blues want some speed at times.
HAY POSSIBLE LINE-UP
GS – Kellie Walker – Exceptional goal shooter that’s very smart and accurate. Rebounds with ease and dictates all the movement in the goal circle, Walker will be the main goal scorer for the Lions.
GA – Ellen Jamieson – Feeds Walker well and can offer a distraction for defenders to stay busy and away from the feed to Walker. Will need to shoot accurately.
WA – Hannah Stewart – Stewart has great pace and speed to go with her ball smarts in attack and defence. Patience with the ball is a strength.
C – Toni Rivett – Quick and agile, will match up well on Bookham. Rivett has great fitness and ball smarts, but will need to offer lots of drive out of defence.
WD – Jade Auldist – A great hustler at wing defence, Auldist will put physical pressure on her opposition all day. Needs to stay focused and ball orientated to have a bigger impact.
GD – Maddie Mannes – Very athletic defender who isn’t afraid to put her body on the line, Mannes will have her work cut out for her stopping Shannahan’s drive, however should match her speed. Needs to stay disciplined.
GK – Sophie Stephens – Likes to play on the body and dictate her player and although she will be a lot shorter than Gillingham, needs to stay in play to have a big impact.
Interchange –
Olivia Joyce – Has been used over the finals series and can be a little more physical than Stephens. Expect her to come on and make impact in either goal keeper or wing defence.
Lani Houston – Coach of the team, is an experienced player and can play if her team is needing a calming presence.
