A Reserve
EVEN as she is trying to soak up the electric atmosphere, Swan Hill A Reserve coach Jade Hunt said she is feeling quite calm as the countdown continues to her team’s grand final match against the Mallee Eagles tomorrow.
“I personally have a very structured routine before game day and can’t wait to put on my Swan Hill socks that I was awarded back in 1995 – yes, that’s right, I wear 27-year-old socks every game day,” she told The Guardian.
The Eagles and the Swan’s finished first and second on the A Reserve ladder this season respectively, going up against each other a couple of times but the Eagles always coming out on top – first in round 2 by one goal, and again in round 12 by 11.
“Lalbert have been the benchmark all year, going in undefeated. They bring experience, knowledge, youth and excellent bookends, we look forward to battling it out on the weekend,” Hunt said.
With the Eagles attack being a key component of their success, the Swans will be looking to defenders Hayley Neuschafer and Greta Sheldrick to shut them down. Eagles’ goal keeper Sarah Young is also expected to make life hard for the Swans as the A Reserve league best and fairest recipient.
Hunt said her team is lucky to have consistent, experienced players who have fought hard on the court each week to get them to where they are after a not-so-great start to the season.
“To be very honest, our team this year has battled, we have unfortunately been riddled with injury and illness and have relied on our amazing depth in our squad and junior players,” Hunt said.
“I am so proud of what our team has achieved so far this season – our versatility will be instrumental on Saturday.”B Grade
“I SUPPOSE there are nerves – everyone gets nerves – but we have prepared well and we’re ready, we’re ready for the challenge.”
Mallee Eagles B Grade coach Deb Parsons said she is feeling “pretty good” in the lead up to her and her undefeated team’s upcoming grand final match against Swan Hill.
Both sides finished on top of the ladder, with the Eagles claiming top spot with two extra wins to round out an undefeated season.
“I think the group of girls that we have got are really committed – they love their netball, which probably makes it a bit easier to coach them as well and I suppose that allows us to just play as a team and enjoy it,” Parsons said.
“I mean that is exactly why I play – it is just an outlet I suppose and it is enjoyment for us. That has probably helped with our success this year.”
The Eagles have won comfortably every time they have come up against Swan Hill, first beating them by 17 goals in round 2, 29 goals in round 12, and again by 17 during the qualifying final.
“I think the connection between our defensive players and our midcourt is key, bringing the ball down then bringing the ball through the midcourt and allowing the defence to bring it to the attack line,” Parsons said.
The Swans have the ability to create a lot of pressure with their defence skills and talk down the court, and they also have strong goalers in sister shooting duo Millie and Sophie Reed.
“I expect an absolute challenge of a game, I don’t think it will be on anyone’s terms but hopefully we can be up when the siren goes at the end,” Parsons said.
B Reserve
THERE hasn’t been much separating Swan Hill and Cohuna’s B Reserve sides all season, so tomorrow’s grand final match against the two top sides will really be anyone’s game.
The Kangas and the Swans finished in first and second ladder positions this season, with Cohuna just getting that one extra win to secure pole position.
“It’s perfect that they are coming up against Swan Hill because they have been the best two teams throughout the season so I am really glad both have made it, and they will definitely be our biggest challenge,” Cohuna coach Ellena Finlay said.
Going up against each other twice throughout the season, Swan Hill won the first game by two goals in round 5, while Cohuna won by one goal the next time they met in round 15.
Swan Hill coach Milan McDonald said she is really exciting to be heading into the match with her group of girls.
“The start of the season was pretty grim – we started with three definite players and managed to recruit a few, but we ended up having a really good season,” McDonald told The Guardian.
Cohuna pose a big threat to the Swans, with B Reserve best and fairest Catrina Robinson lining up in the Kangas midcourt, and their defensive pressure one of the key features of their game.
“We’re really trying to focus on everyone’s individual game and bringing that together as a whole, not focusing on certain players as such, more just focusing on that team effort this week,” Finlay said.
But McDonald is confident her team has what it takes to come out with the win.
“Everyone plays a really important role, especially the girls down in the shooting end keeping it strong for us, and then we have got a really good defence,” she said.
“We have worked hard, we’ve earned it, and it is going to be a good game either way no matter what happens.”
U18s
ANTICIPATION is building for Tyntynder and Lake Boga’s 18 and Under teams as they go head to head tomorrow.
The Pies go into the grand final as favourites, as the Dogs are yet to beat them yet this season.
“We’ve worked hard all year to have a team that is hard to pick a starting seven and it will be the same come Saturday,” Lake Boga co-coach Jemma Meehan said.
“We are quite hard on them at times but know they can play some beautiful netball when they come together as a team.
“Each player has their own strong attributes but when the girls play together as a team there is no one key player.”
The Dogs had to claw their way back for a one-goal win in the dying seconds of the game against Cohuna last weekend. Coach Emma Smith believes this only proves how much her team deserves to be playing tomorrow.
“The girls have so much self-belief, are a tight knit, humble team, and have proven they can dig deep when it counts. I am super proud of this team – for a bottom-aged side, they’ve improved immensely throughout the season to earn a spot in the grand final,” Smith said.
Defenders Rose Crowe and Ruby King will be crucial players in Tyntynder’s line-up as they try to stop Lake Boga’s persistent attack line, while goalers Harmonie Martin and Tahni Smith are a strong combination, and could be a headache for the Pies’ defence.
“Tyntynder push us and make us work hard for the full 60 minutes – this weekend will be no different and the outcome will just depend on who can settle first,” Meehan said.
Smith said she is quietly confident is her team’s abilities and strategies for the match tomorrow.
“We are yet to play our best netball against Lake Boga this year – we have the chance to have another crack at them with absolutely nothing to lose,” she said.
“The pressure is on them.”
U16s
TOOLEYBUC-Manangatang will go head-to-head with Kerang tomorrow to determine the best 16 & Under team for 2022.
The Saints and the Blues both finished on top of the ladder at the end of the home and away season, meeting once in round 10 with Kerang coming away with a 13 goal win. The teams have also met in the finals series, the Blues again getting up over the Saints by nine.
The Saints played a great game against Swan Hill in the preliminary final last week, beating the side by five goals in a hard fought battle that came down to the final minutes.
U14s
AS Tyntynder take on Woorinen tomorrow, the youngest netballers to take the court on grand final day are set to put out a competitive, close match.
The Dogs and the Tigers came up against each other twice during the season, with the Tigers coming away narrowly with the points both times.
However, the cliché that finals is a whole different ball game rang true in the U14s competition, with Tyntynder beating the Tigers and becoming the first team to secure a spot in the grand final.
