A WHOLE different ball game – that is what all the Millewa A Grade coaches agreed on heading into the semi-finals today.
The on-court battles between league netball heavyweights Bambill and Werrimull this season have had it all, including a win, a draw and a loss.
So it’s easy to understand why Magpies coach Anna Thomson, while excited, is a little unsure of what to expect from today’s finals match against the Saints.
“I don’t know how I’m feeling to be honest. It’s going to be tough no matter what,” she said.
“But in saying that, I am so proud of my girls for how they have adapted this year with our injuries.
“I couldn’t be happier about what we have achieved this year, and I have full faith in my girls that we can play very well together.”
Finishing the home-and-away season in first and second place, whoever loses today’s match will have a second chance to keep their premiership dream alive, while the winner will automatically go straight into the grand final match in two weeks time.
Bambill coach Lateesha Hester said a win would mean a lot to the minor premiers.
“I think it would just really reward the hard work that we’ve done, we’ve had a solid season and I think it’s something that we have worked really hard to get to, so it would be a really good result,” she said.
Thomson, however, said while a week off would be a good rest, it might also impact the flow of their play.
“I think keeping in the routine of playing weekly is so important coming into the grand final,” she said.
“We’d be stoked if we got straight in, but won’t be too disappointed if we do have to play again next week.”
Whoever loses today’s match will go up against the winner of tomorrow’s game against Nangiloc and Cardross, with the Demons and the Lions needing to win to remain alive.
Although the Demons have won all three of their home-and-away matches against the Lions this season, coach Annette Emonson said that was irrelevant.
“Those wins don’t count anymore,” she said.
“Finals is a whole new start – you can’t rely on what has happened during the year, you have to go into this game with the mindset that we need to win.
“We can’t be thinking that this is going to be like the rest.”
The matches will take place at Cardross Recreation Reserve at 1pm on Saturday and Sunday.
