WENTWORTH’S A Grade team is unlike any other the league has seen before.
But if there is one team that might be able to break the unbeatable, it’s Ouyen United.
In fact, the Kangas were the last team that was able to claim a win against Wentworth, and that was in the 2019 grand final.
They did face them again, however, in the 2022 grand final, going down by a single goal in a game that is still in the back of coach Kyra Nathan’s mind.
“We were really disappointed that we didn’t come home with the win in 2022 – we thought that was our game, and we lost it really,” she said.
“So we are absolutely going to throw everything at them.
“All of them, they are just so athletic and physical and they are such a big presence, and we just need to make sure we look past that, play our game and not get sucked into that perceived pressure.”
The Kangas had a faultless finals campaign after just making it into the top five teams to battle it out for a spot into today’s pinnacle match.
But they are well aware they head into the match today as the underdogs.
“It is nice to be the underdog I think, it really does take the pressure off,” Nathan said.
“All the pressure is on them because they are expected to win.
“We play a really calm, good style of netball, and we just need to make sure we stick to that and not get caught up in their speed and the way that they play.”
Nathan believes the game will come down to how her team is able to combat the Roos ruthless attack end, and in particular coach Amanda Edwards in the goal attack bib.
“Amanda is the key to their side, so I think it is going to be a massive defensive effort, and if we can get on top of that, I have full faith in our attack line that we can get the goals,” Nathan said.
“If we were to win, we would come away saying that is what we’ve done.”
Edwards carries a similar mentality to Nathan, in that she knows her team need to focus on their well-rehearsed structures and not get caught up in the Kangas different style of play.
“I think we are a really great disciplined team, and we know what we need to do to get the job done,” Edwards said.
“It’s mainly just sticking to our structures and, soaking it all in.
“It’s going to be loud, the atmosphere is going to be there.
“I think nerves are quite normal come grand final, it’s just about taking them and embracing them and backing ourselves in.”
Having played in some “epic battles” against each other over the years, both playing coaches agree that the game will likely come down to who is able to captalise on rare turnover opportunity.
“Netball is a 50/50 game, everyone gets a centre pass, everyone gets every second option, so I think it making sure we capitalise on those moments if you do win the ball, and hopefully just push on from there when we are able to capitalise,” Edwards said.
But even with winning front of mind, both teams have also made sure to “soak it all in”, reminding themselves of what an achievement it is in itself to just make to grand final day.
“I just think we are so privileged to be here,” Nathan said.
“We didn’t expect to be in the grand final, but obviously you always hope to be, and I think we have prepared well enough to give it our best shot.”
