NANGILOC’S close connection has been key to their successful run into the Millewa A Grade grand final, according to co-coach Tamara Loveridge.
Despite starting the season with a different line-up, the Demons quickly found their feet and emerged as the team to beat.
They were only defeated twice for the season, once each by Bambill and Werrimull.
Loveridge, who had stepped into the coaching role with Ginine Sluiter, said the team had “big shoes to fill” at the start of the season, after a run of successful years.
But she said the relationships within the team had helped them gel.
“I think it is the fact that we are all family and friends,” she said.
“A lot of us have grown up knowing each other so we already have that friendship connection and it makes it easier going into a game because we can be honest with each other, we know each other’s personalities it makes it easier to be able to speak up when something isn’t working.”
Loveridge, who was this year’s Dot Wilson Best and Fairest winner, said the girls were all “very happy” to have earned a spot in the grand final for the second year in a row.
The Demons fell just short of winning the premiership last year, going down to Bambill.
Sluiter, Loveridge and Tess Thompson were the only returning players from that side.
All three played a key role in the Demons’ defeat of Bambill in the second semi-final.
“I am not sure we entirely expected that result (against Bambill),” Loveridge said.
“Just given Bambill’s strength throughout the court, but I think it was well deserved as we had done some full on training sessions knowing that we were coming up against them.”
This week, Loveridge said the team were less prepared after the “shock” result of the preliminary final.
“I think it was sort of a shock to everyone when Werrimull made it through,” she said.
“They played an awesome game but when we heard one of their key players were out, everyone was thinking that the result was going to go Bambill’s way.
“I really don’t have a game plan now because I didn’t expect that result.”
Despite not facing Bambill again for the grand final, Loveridge said she expected a thrilling game against the Pies.
“The way that Werrimull played on the weekend was just exceptional to watch,” she said.
“It is definitely going to make for a very good game to watch and probably a very tight game.
“I think it will just come down to who has got the most determination at the end of the day.”
