“RELIEF” was how Nangiloc coach Annette Emonson described the feeling of securing their place in the grand final after their narrow preliminary final 26-24 win against Bambill on Saturday.
The nail-biting match had both the spectators and players on edge for most of the game, as the lead seesawed between the Demons and the Saints, never blowing out by more than three goals at a time.
Despite not having a win against the minor premiers since round 1, the Demons looked calm and collected as they executed their plan of slowing down the game and monopolising play.
“To tell you the truth, we didn’t play our best during the year, we’ve really put it together in the last four or five weeks, and we haven’t played Bambill since round 9,” Emonson said.
“So they hadn’t seen the new us, so it was always going to be different.”
Emonson said she believes being the underdogs has worked in her team’s favour, with their so-far successful finals campaign giving the Demons some assurance in their ability.
“Our confidence is growing, the girls are putting it all together, it’s coming together at the right time,” she said.
“The girls are listening, whatever plan we set each week, that is what they are following.
“I knew we had the team right from the start, I knew we just had to get it right and get it working, and it is now.”
This week’s grand final appearance will be the Demons third in three years, and will be a rematch of last year’s grand final against Werrimull.
