IT’S been a long, long journey but Nangiloc are now just a game away from defending their Millewa Football Netball League A Grade crown.
A new-look Demons outfit started the season with five straight losses and were anchored at the bottom of the table with seemingly no hope of making the finals.
However, under the guidance of coach Ginine Sluiter, Nangi slowly hit their stride and dropped only two more games (to undefeated Bambill) to squeak into the top four.
Then, in last week’s elimination final against Werrimull, they conjured up a one-goal win to keep the repeat dream alive.
“Finals are a whole new ball event and not necessarily a reflection on the season,” Sluiter said of the change in tempo and pressure heading into today’s preliminary final against Cardross.
“Our whole team has impressed me this season,” she said of a squad which took some time to gel together.
“They all bring something to the table and do their job, and they all play well at different points in the game.”
Amber King has been in supreme form under the net this season, but the coach is expecting a couple of midcourters to also lead the way today.
“Chloe Nelson does a fantastic job bringing the ball down the court, having her and Tamara (Loveridge) coming back into the team brings a wealth of experience and they bring the younger players along with them,” she said of two of her team leaders.
Nangi are rolling but last week’s squeaker was a wake-up call and Sluiter is aware of the threats Cardross possess.
“Tamara Hamence in goals is one I would definitely like to keep quiet and their coach, Bronte (Burgess), is a very strong centre, but Tamara should be able to do her job there. I expect their young defender Lily Thompson will do a good job, but Amber is hard to stop,” she said.
“We just need to show determination.”
Lions coach Burgess, despite falling to Bambill by 13 goals in last week’s qualifying final, remains confident her squad can set up a rematch with the Saints next week.
“Finals are a different game, and I think we have prepared really well and have come into them really hard,” Burgess said.
“We are looking for a big game from our star shooter Tamara. Wing attack Skye Saunders is new to the club and performs every week and our under 18s player Lily Thompson – she’s a rising star in defence,” she said of Lions to watch out for.
“It’s about positivity on the court. Keep our heads high while running, defending and shooting and try to outplay them.
“Ginine, their goal keeper, is a really hard player to match but they have strengths everywhere.
“We have played above expectations this year. We have made finals, and we are beyond happy with how we have performed and how we have stuck at it as a group … and now we would love to go further.”
