EERILY similar circumstances last year have created a sense of déjà vu for Mildura’s A-grade netball team as they look to overcome Ouyen United, a team known for finishing seasons strongly.
Last season, the Kangas were the underdogs and defeated the Demons 37-33 in a thrilling contest at George Gordon Oval.
Although the Demons have been fortunate enough to play on their home court for this year’s preliminary final, coach Sharon Watson said there were other factors to consider for the match-up.
“A netball court is a netball court, Ouyen have a great following of supporters so ours need to get there and get behind us and be very vocal,” she said.
“I was playing last year so it feels very different this time, the nerves are still there but I think the girls are looking pretty good, we’ve learnt a lot the last few weeks, so hopefully we can just put it all out there on Saturday.”
In the two games played this season, the first one saw Mildura win 43-28 but the most recent outing in round 13 was a draw.
While Watson said that it wasn’t the Demons’ best game of the season, she gave credit to the Kangas for capitalising on the situation.
“They were a different team, they’ve built since that first game … no point being early season champions,” she said.
“You don’t have to be good at the start but you’ve got to know how to finish off and that’s something Ouyen do very well.”
For the Kangas, coach Kyra Nathan said there was nothing to lose but admitted her team would need to play at their best to win.
“I think Mildura are a great side and they will certainly be going in as favourites, in a sense we don’t have a lot to lose,” she said.
“We’re just taking it one game at a time, the girls played amazingly last week, I think that was the best game of the season.
“We’ve had a couple of light trainings this week, we haven’t gone too hard, so hopefully we’ll be ready.”
The Kangas look to be at full health for this weekend’s game, but the Demons will still be without Alex Leng who remains out with a broken collarbone.
The preliminary final begins at Brian Weightman Oval on Saturday at 12pm.
