WHO can best remain calm and composed under immense pressure is set to decide Saturday’s A Grade qualifying final.
While the pressure for Swan Hill and Woorinen is lessened somewhat by the loser of the match having a second chance in the first semi-final next Sunday, both will hope to make their finals journey as simple as possible with a win.
Even though the Swans are now very well versed in finals, coach Madeleine Nalder said there were still a few nerves heading into the match.
“Nerves are sort of a good thing – it means that the final is going to mean something to us and that we want to do well,” she said.
“I guess you have just got to try and focus on what you can control, and that’s what we will be going in with the focus of this week, to try and keep those nerves at bay.”
Tigers coach Tayla Bennett agreed finals nerves were a good thing, and she had belief in her team that they will be able to relax once the match actually begins.
“I suppose it’s just those few that haven’t played many finals, getting them through the start,” Bennett said.
“That first five minutes is normally the settling time, so I’m sure once we are on the court warmed up and the first whistle goes, it will be straight into that game mode.”
The only thing that could separate the two sides throughout the season was percentage, both finishing with 14 wins and two losses.
The result of the match will likely come down to composure across the court to make the most of any loose balls or turnovers.
“Our focus is very similar to last week, so being able to be composed with the ball, maintain the ball when we have got it in our possession, to put it hopefully on the scoreboard,” Nalder said.
“With any top-five team in the finals, that is the first and foremost of what we want to do – when we have possession of it, let’s keep possession of it.
“They have got really high-scoring power with Tayla (Bennett), so I guess we are just going to have to be playing smart, applying pressure to the ball and trying to cut off as much supply as we can, and work together as a whole team and as a defensive unit to help each other out.”
For the Tigers, the focus is on more of a whole-team effort, with all players needing to concentrate on their specific job at hand to help their game plan come together.
“We need to win the ball all over the court – there’s not one end that we are focusing on as such, just making sure that everybody knows their role and everybody is doing their role for that whole 15 minutes each quarter,” Bennett said.
The winner of the match will take on ladder leaders Lake Boga in the second semi-final next Saturday, while the loser will play the winner of Sunday’s elimination final.
TIP – Swan Hill by one goal.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Swans and the Tigers only met once through the season, and that was in round 8 when the Tigers just got the win by two goals. This was the Swans’ first loss of the season, and one of only two losses for the year. They were also without coach and goal keeper Madeleine Nalder.
KEY MATCH-UP
Madeleine Nalder and Tayla Bennett
The coaches will face each other in the Tigers’ ring in what will be one of the most-watched contests on the court. Bennett is a powerhouse in the ring, able to find the post from almost anywhere, making her extremely dangerous. Nalder, whose extensive defensive netball knowledge is evident on the court, will be working very hard to try and block Bennett from getting the ball at all.
SWAN HILL KEY PLAYER
Kelsey McCoy
As a consistent, reliable player in the Swans midcourt, McCoy has the speed and agility to be able to change the play quickly. Likely going head-to-head against Jamiee Beasy in the centre, it will come down to who has the energy to spike at the right time, which will be made even harder if the weather warms up.
WOORINEN KEY PLAYER
Carlee Hazlett
Hazlett has an amazing ability to be able to read the play during a match, and isn’t afraid to go in for a contest. She will play a critical role in trying to intercept the ball before it gets to the Swans’ ring, as well as bringing it out of defence once it is in the Tigers’ possession.
