Onlookers were not disappointed by ensuing contest, with Wentworth remaining undefeated at the final siren by just three goals, the same margin between the two sides when they met earlier in the season.
After trailing by four at quarter-time, a sublime second term for the Kangas put them three goals up at the long break, and a potential boil-over was brewing.
That turned out not to be the case as the Roos, led by some brilliant interceptions from Courtney Wakefield and their trademark speed in transition, would regain the advantage and hold it until the final whistle.
Despite two blemishes against the Roos in 2021, Kangas co-coach Kyra Nathan was “pumped” with the performance of her side against the benchmark of the A Grade competition.
“That’s not a loss for us,” she said. “It’s good to have a look at a game like that knowing you’re going to meet them in the finals.
“It was a game of very little errors so if you did make one, either team could capitalise. It could have gone either way but it gave us a really good opportunity to look at a few different combinations and options and I thought all of them held up.
“We’ve still got some more fine tuning to go in terms of players coming back in and what options we’ve got.
“We’re quite a structured team and having a look was really good for me as a coach to see what they do, and we know for next time exactly how to combat certain players and things they do.”
Nathan praised the efforts of her attacking duo of Casey Crothers and Tayla Willsmore, who had an enthralling battle against Wentworth defenders Wakefield and Natalie Vercher.
“It was awesome, and they (Crothers and Vercher) had a really good tussle last game as well,” she said.
“I thought Casey was our best and she really stood up to the physicality of it all. I thought our shooters were brilliant. The last time we played them they hadn’t really played together so they’re really getting into their groove now.”
Ouyen United will host South Mildura this week while Wentworth head to Kenny Park to face Merbein.
WENTWORTH 53 d OUYEN UNITED 50
BEST: Wentworth: C. Wakefield, A Edwards. Ouyen United: C. Crothers, T. Willsmore.
THREE THINGS WE LEARNT
GRAND FINAL PREVIEW: If this contest was any indication of what might happen if these sides meet during finals, supporters are in for a hell of a show. It was a brilliant game played tough, but fair, and the strong crowd in attendance certainly responded in kind. A game of finals-like atmosphere and intensity.
LIZ A LUXURY: Wentworth being able to bring on a shooter as good as Liz Rowe fresh after half-time is an absolute luxury. Youngster Molly Mangan again started the game at GA alongside Amanda Edwards before swapping with Rowe at the long break. She doesn’t miss too many shots and provides a great option for her coach in attack.
EPIC BATTLE: The one-on-one contest between Ouyen United shooter Casey Crothers and Wentworth GK Natalie Vercher was worth watching in itself. The height and shooting ability of Crothers certainly helped put her side in the lead in the second term and keep them in the game in the second half, however Vercher also played a strong hand in repelling a number of attacks. They can share the points.A FINALS-LIKE intensity and atmosphere filled the netball courts at George Gordon Oval for the top-of-the-table clash between Wentworth and Ouyen United.
