MANGOPLAH-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes can a achieve a rare piece of Riverina League netball history when they take on Collingullie-Glenfield Park in Sunday’s grand final.
The Goannas will be chasing a third straight A grade premiership, something only one club has been able to achieve since netball was introduced to the league.
Turvey Park is the only team that have been achieve that when they won four straight from 2002 to 2005.
With a stack of grand final experience within the team, long-time MCUE player Tracy Schulz-Cole hopes it does count for something when the two sides hit the court on Sunday.
“Quite possibly, even though some of the girls in the team are young, so for example Clare Vearing is our youngest player but she’s playing her third grand final this year in A grade for Wagga and that’s not counting any other school teams that she’s been involved in,” Schulz-Cole said.
“Most of the team have all had grand final experience so yeah I definitely think that grand final experience does help. As far as trying to keep calm out on the court and speaking to the other players as well out on the court.
“Sort of just saying calm down a little bit or maybe go the easy pass, so I think it definitely helps going into a grand final.”
While the Goannas have the experience, little has separated the two teams this year.
Schulz-Cole expects a tight grand final, but hopes it ends in a MCUE victory.
“There’s been nothing between us all season and we’re probably evenly matched all over the court I think,” she said.
“I don’t think there is a weak link in either team.”
Collingullie have beaten MCUE during the home and away season, a fact that gives the Demons confidence ahead of Sunday.
Collingullie coach Jemima Norbury knows what they key to victory is for her team.
“I think our consistency, and that’s something we’ve really been trying to focus on throughout the year,” Norbury said.
“We’ve got a lot of young players and new players into the club. For a lot of players it’s only their first year of RFL, even myself, it’s only my third year and it’s a different type of netball.
“We’ve noticed having to play a full four quarters and be consistent throughout the full four quarters and the 15 minutes you’re out there for the quarter, is something that really comes into play.
“You can’t afford to drop off.
“I think that game against Mango where we’ll able to get the win...we were consistent in what we did.
“We didn’t fall off the mark, we didn’t back off the pedal, we kept pushing.”
