Grand Final, SFNL A grade
Wentworth v Ouyen United
Mildura Sporting Precinct, noon
FINAL WORD: Ouyen United’s new player combination has shone on the court these last two weeks and I think it could be good enough to potentially shake Wentworth today. But the Roos have few flaws and have perfected their gameplay with every win, so it is highly unlikely they will see defeat. However, I do think the Kangas will definitely give them a run for their money and I predict it will be a close game.
Sarah’s prediction: Wentworth by three points
OUYEN United have their work cut out for them today, as they try to knock down this season’s top dog in a replay of the 2019 A Grade decider.
Ouyen United have powered their way through the last few weeks, defeating South Mildura and Mildura to earn themselves a spot in the 2022 Grand Final.
Today the Kangas face 2022’s undefeated powerhouse Wentworth, the same team they came up against when they won the last grand final two years ago.
Co-coach Kyra Nathan said her team were ready for the challenge, coming into the final with a strong set seven, something the team didn’t have throughout the home and away season.
“Both times we played Wentworth, we certainly didn’t have our strongest seven on the court,” she said.
“We didn’t have consistency during the season because we had so many players in and out each week.”
Despite not having their strongest seven, Ouyen United had the two smallest losing margins against the Roos this year.
The average losing margin for teams against Wentworth this season was 33 points. The Kangas were defeated by only 15 and 11 points.
Nathan said she hoped her team’s new-found consistency and today’s grand final atmosphere would allow the Kangas to stand strong against the undefeated side.
“We have had two weeks now where we have had the same seven and we are going into our third, so we hope that some of the systems that we put into place work,” she said.
“Finals are a completely different game and, to be honest, playing indoors gives an absolutely different game to what it is on the outside court, so hopefully it’s a clean slate and it a really good game to watch.”
Ouyen United were “devastated” at the start of finals, after losing one of the team’s best players, Tayla Willsmore, to an ACL injury.
Willsmore was one of the top goal shooters for this season with 326 goals.
Nathan said following constant player inconsistencies and the the loss of Willsmore, she did not expect the team would make it to the Grand Final.
“We were quite surprised especially with losing Tayla Willsmore in the first semi-final week,” she said.
“I think we are feeling lucky but we have been here before and we know what to do so we are also quite confident.”
Wentworth’s coach Amanda Edwards said she expected this weekend to be a challenge for the Roos, who have had huge wins all throughout the season.
“(We expect) a fierce contest. They are a well organised and well-structured team,” she said.
“They are experienced and have steady heads across the court, so it’ll be a good challenge for us.”
Edwards has been a powerhouse player this season, shooting 667 goals, 247 more than runner-up Merbein player Rebecca Harvey.
Nathan said while the Kangas would be staying on top of all of Wentworth’s talented players, they needed to have strategies in place to be successful in slowing Edwards down.
“She is an absolute superstar and you absolutely need strategies to combat her game, you can’t let someone get 40 goals a game and expect to win,” she said.
“On the other hand, we have Catherine Brown up against her and she is a superstar in her own right and I think they have such an amazing challenge against each other.”
Both Edwards and Brown received 23 votes this year, just two less than the Horkings medal winner, Mildura coach Jess McNamara.
Nathan said the duo of Brown and Tsharni Burns in defence would be key for the Kangas.
“(Burns) and Brown have been playing together since we merged,” she said.
“They have a few tactics under their belt they have been working on.”
Nathan said Ellen Morrish would also be a key player for the side today.
“I’m really confident in, especially our defence end, but also Ellen Morrish our Wing Attack.
“She had an absolute blinder last week and she has gone from defence to attack this year and she has just got speed, I think she will have a great game this weekend.”
Edwards said there were several match-ups that she thought would be key on the day, including herself and Brown, Liz Rowe (GS) and Burns (GK), and Natalie Vercher (GK) and Casey Crothers (GS).
“Catherine is a tough opponent and one of their best players,” she said.
“It’ll be a really good match-up against her.”
Wentworth have maintained consistency this season and have played with a ‘total netball’ style of game.
“In netball, just as it is in basketball, I want the players to strongly contest the ball and do two things,” she said.
“If you’re an attacker, you need to also be defending strongly, and vice-versa. Players aren’t just one position, and we’ve worked hard on this all year.”
Edwards said the key to victory would be keeping to the team’s structures and full-court pressure.
“It comes down to every single one of us doing our individual job. We each know what that is, and hopefully it comes together on the day,” she said.
“As a coach, I’ve been very lucky with how the players have bought into the way we want to play the game.”
