PREVIEW
Having had the better of the Macorna on three separate occasions this year, Murrabit will go into this year’s grand final as favourites.
The reigning premiers will be chasing back-to-back premierships having beaten the Tigers twice during the home-and-away season, and then again in the second semi-final.
In all games three matches, the work has been done by the Blues in the first quarter, although Macorna will be looking for redemption from the last time they met, having been penalised heavily. There is a glimmer of hope for the Macorna faithful, having beaten Murrabit by one goal back in round 14.
Due to the hot weather forecast, this game will most likely be survival of the fittest and is sure to come down to the wire.
Tip – Murrabit to win by four goals.
MURRABIT
Finished – First
Win/Loss – 13 wins, 3 loses
Last A grade premiership – 2022
Coaches – Kalinda Stanton and Kayla Casey
PLAYER PROFILES
GS – Grace Gillingham
A tall goalie, Gillingham makes good space in the circle and is accurate. Will need to be shooting well on the weekend to prevent Macorna’s defenders from getting into the game.
GA – Montana Keating
Keating is having a breakout season and works tirelessly around the court. Is still a young player who has developed very well and has been shooting accurately.
WA – Mary Yates Ward
The key to Murrabit’s mid court, Yates Ward is one of the best wing attacks in the league. She is a smart ball mover, strong defender and great feeder of the ball and will be the key to the Blues’ attacking end. If she is on-song, the team will follow suit.
C – Lauren Morrow
While Morrow is no stranger to finals netball, it is her first season out of the goal circle, with the inclusion of Montana Keating forcing her to don the C bib. It’s no surprise that she’s a great ball carrier, and often uses her speed and intelligence to give her team plenty of drive. Her captain’s leadership will shine on Saturday.
WD – Mila Bray
The baby of the team, Mila Bray is flourishing in senior netball. With height and poise, Bray is confident on the A grade court, is very good in the air and will be looking to intercept to give her team drive, before backing it up in the B grade grand final.
GD – Erin McKean
New to the Golden Rivers this year, McKean has made her mark on the competition by finishing in the top five of the league’s best and fairest vote count. Wears her opponent’s body like a glove and is forever making it difficult to score, McKean will be a pivotal player.
GK – Aimee Sinclair
After missing the second semi-final, Sinclair will be keen to get out on the court having barely played any netball in September. Having come up from B grade this season, Sinclair is an experienced defender who will have her work cut out for her on Macorna’s Asela Finch.
Interchange – Jess Bray (WA), Ashea Budjuso (WD), Sarah Perry (WA)
After suffering a knee injury late in the season, wild horses couldn’t keep Ashea Budjuso away and no one will be surprised if she takes the court. Due to the warm weather, Perry and Bray may be used, but coaches Stanton and Casey have played their starting seven for most weeks this season.
MACORNA
Finished – Second
Win/Loss – 12 wins, 4 loses
Last A grade premiership – 1988
Coach – Tiff Bartram
PLAYER PROFILES
GS – Asela Finch
New to Macorna this season, Finch’s presence has undoubtedly contributed to the Tigers’ form. A big game player, Finch has great accuracy and is a very clever goalie and will be very hard to contain.
GA – Emmalea Wishart
The co-captain of the team who was rewarded with finishing as runner up in the Golden Rivers A grade best and fairest count on Monday night. Wishart is a strong goalie and the backbone of the Tigers line up with her speed and craftiness likely to cause constant headaches for the Blues’ defence.
WA – Leah Lacy
A Macorna stalwart who has played over 300 games in the yellow and black, Lacy has had yet another stellar season. Will run all day, has great pace and is a strong decision maker when feeding the ball into her goalies.
C – April Wishart
Having an exceptional debut season in Macorna’s A Grade, Wishart is playing like a seasoned veteran despite her youth. Is as sound defensively as she is strong in attack.
WD – Brielle O’Meara
Incredibly fast defender who can turn a game on its head. O’Meara is coming off a great performance in the preliminary final and loves the big games, big crowd and pressure situations. Is expected to get the nod for the job on Mary Yates Ward, however, can also move into the centre or in goals.
GD – Holly Griffiths
Griffiths has great footwork, an ability to read the play and can be dangerous in the air and covers the body well. Has had a wonderful season in goal defence, partnering well with Erin Delahunty, but will have a tough job to do on the in-form Montanah Keating.
GK – Erin Delahunty
As co-captain of the Tigers, Delahunty uses her height and experience to be a mastermind in the circle. Will be expected to rebound a majority of ball and help create a lot of opportunities for the Tigers mid court to get the ball back into attack.
Interchange – Emily Robins (WA), Cat Whinfield (WD), Shamana Bacon (C), Kara Farrell (GK)
A mix of youth and experience is expected to make up Macorna’s bench. Tigers coach Tiff Bartram has been known to use the bench as required and would be expected to see some changes if things aren’t working out as planned on Saturday.
KEY MATCH UPS
Grace Gillingham (GS) v Erin Delahunty (GK)
Erin McKean (GD) v Emmalea Wishart (GA)
The battle in the goal circle at either end will be worth the price of admission. Both Delahunty and Wishart were instrumental in their team’s preliminary final win against Moulamein, while McKean and Gillingham are also strong contributors for the Blues. McKean will need to adjust her defence so as to not get penalised too heavily, while Gillingham will need to shoot accurately to negate Delahunty’s strong rebounding presence.
THE X FACTOR
Montana Keating (Murrabit)
Shot a huge 33 goals last time these two teams met, Keating’s accuracy and pace will provide Murrabit with a bit of x-factor.
April Wishart (Macorna)
Wishart is coming off some great form in the preliminary final win over Moulamein, where she contested the ball well and played a clean game.
