WENTWORTH are just one win away from a second consecutive perfect season after they defeated Mildura 48 to 38 in their qualifying final at John James Oval.
After their barnburner last week, the sequel was as good as the original between the two best teams of 2023, the final margin not indicative of how close the contest was.
Just one goal separated the sides at half time, however, in the face of a surging Demons side, Amanda Edwards and team scored eight of the last nine goals in the third term to create what would be enough separation in the scoreboard through the final term.
For a non-contact sport, there was plenty of impact as all players showed incredible desperation to gain as many advantages as possible.
Post-game Edwards said she and her team were over the moon.
“I’m so happy for the girls today just to come out and put out that solid performance and react when we had to,” she said.
“To be able to push on and get that grand final chance, they deserve this, definitely.
“Credit to the girls though it was almost level at halftime but they really came out firing and wanted to give themselves that shot at the grand final.
“It was a great contest and that’s what finals is all about, it should be the top two teams battling it out.
“Everyone wants that ball and they’re hungry for it so we expect that to be physical at times.”
The Roos defensive trio of Natalie Vercher, Courtney Wakefield and Christie Becker were superb with their intercepting abilities and often stifled the Dees forward movements.
“Those girls are amazing, they just work, work, work and they give us that opportunity at the attacking end so we just have to reward them and their work,” Edwards said.
Mildura defenders Katelyn Challis, Ava Zadow and Milli Seward were also brilliant under pressure, the versatile Jess McNamara superb in multiple positions and Ellie Vincent’s shooting kept the Dees in the game.
A number of players cut frustrated figures during the game as defence trumped the usual free-flowing attack from both sides, making the sequel much more of a Christopher Nolan flick than Avatar.
An incredible match was held, however, and if the Demons win their preliminary final this week it gives the late-season trilogy between the teams a real opportunity.
Already missing Ally Leng with a broken collarbone, Seward had to be helped off the court in the third term with a potential knee issue, however, she returned to play out the game from three-quarter time.
With two weeks before the big dance at MSP, Edwards said her side will enjoy this time together.
“It’s such a special thing and I say to the girls times like this don’t come around often and when it’s our chance we’ve got to really enjoy these moments together,” she said.
“We’ve got a really special group this year, and we class ourselves as really good mates off the court as well so just enjoying the moment and preparation and when it comes to grand final day let’s just have a crack.”
