IT has been a year of injuries and tough times for Werrimull’s A Grade team.
But it might be worth all the pain if they can secure a back-to-back premiership today.
Magpies coach Anna Thomson said while the nerves have already started to kick in, she and her team felt ready to take to the court against Nangiloc today.
“It’s been a tough year, so no matter the outcome, we’re just proud to be there together,” she said.
“The team is as strong as it gets – we’re excited to see what we can do.”
Having witnessed the Demons’ determined finals campaign, elevating themselves from third into the grand final over the past two weeks, Thomson is well aware of the challenge that lies ahead.
“They’ve played in finals for so many years, they have experience playing in the last three (grand finals), and I know that they will come out strong and they will come out determined and their want will be big,” Thomson said.
“But I know our girls want this more than anything, so I’m excited for us girls to put the pressure on them and see who the better team is on the day.”
Having had a number of injury trouble over the course of the season, Thomson is excited to have a full squad available for the big dance, including captain Cassie Morris, who is back to full strength and ready to take to the court.
“As you get older you realise how important grand finals are and how hard they are to get in to,” Thomson said.
“As a coach, you put so much time and effort and pride into these girls that you would do anything for them.
“So just to make it to the grand final, it just gives me so much pride in those girls and how hard we’ve worked, and you realise that it’s not something that comes easily and you’ve got to work so hard and everything has got to align for it to work out.”
While a back-to-back premiership is obviously the goal of today’s game, Thomson said she was already proud of how far her team had come.
“No matter the outcome, we’ll be celebrating – just celebrating the team and the friendships that we’ve built,” she said.
“To play alongside your best friends every week and the bond that we’ve built along with these girls is something real special, and something that will be remembered forever.”
