Collingullie-Glenfield Park will be out to secure their first Riverina League A grade netball title when they take on Wagga Tigers in Saturday’s grand final.
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The Demons have finished minor premiers for the past four seasons but have been unable to finish the job in the finals series.
Wagga Tigers have earned themselves the reputation of September specialists in recent times after claiming back-to-back titles in 2016-17.
Collingullie-GP coach Jemima Norbury said her team is keen to get one back on Tigers.
“Two years ago we lost to Tigers in the grand final and I think that plays in the back of our minds,” Norbury said.
“I think there is four of us remaining from that grand final loss. The girls are obviously hungry but I think it’s not something we’ve really concentrated too much on, it’s just getting through the week, getting through the training sessions, knuckling in, doing what we’ve got to do and then turning up Saturday and hopefully playing our best netball.
“Obviously we want the success for the club because we have a great support, we’ve got a great relationship with our football players and our committee, so there’s always that in the back of your mind but at the end of the day, you’ve got a job to do and that’s just what we’re focusing on at the moment.”
Wagga Tigers coach Julie Cornell is no stranger to premiership success.
Only four players remain from last year’s grand final but Cornell is confident Tigers can achieve a third straight premiership.
“Definitely. We’ve got four players from last year’s grand final win in Jess Allen, Grace Cornell, Lana Duffy and Liv Tilyard and if they can use their experience to settle the nerves of our younger players then I think we’ve got a good chance,” Cornell said.
“A good lead would be great and defensive pressure down the court would be good.”
Cornell said Tigers must be able to negate Collingullie-GP’s tall shooters on Saturday, while also limiting the impact of Norbury, Brigetta Hart and Ruby Gooden with their intercept marking in defence.
Norbury said Tigers’ greatest asset is that they are strong across the court and don’t have any weaknesses.
She said Collingullie-GP’s main focus will be not allowing any lapses.
“We have had lulls throughout the season during the quarters which has let other teams hit back at us so we’re really just focusing on playing for a full 15 minutes every time we’re out there,” she said.
“Last week the girls managed to do that really well so obviously we’ll try to do that again.”
