With minor premiers Lexus Arrows already having earned their spot courtesy of a one-point victory over second placed Cavaliers the spotlight now turns to the teams who finished second and third on the ladder with Northern Hawks bowing out last weekend.
Cripps Waratah gets their shot at a fourth straight Grand Final appearance after a comfortable victory over Hawks last weekend. Cripps has been confident all year they were capable of winning the title from outside the top two. They will have to contend with a Country Club Cavaliers side that will be keen to bounce back from a narrow defeat to Arrows in the Semi-finals and the opportunity to defend their 2013 premiership.
Cripps have had an edge over Cavaliers in 2014 having won two of their three encounters but it will count for little if they fail to defeat them this weekend.
Cripps will be sweating on the fitness of key players Sophia Saunders (inj.) and Jess Parsons (illness) but are hopeful both will be available. Co-captain Saunders suffered an ankle injury in the defeat of Hawks and faces a race against time to face her old side in Cavaliers.
Cripps Waratah coach Aaron Pidgeon expects a tight contest with little separating the two sides.
“The games we’ve had have been generally close, and despite the fact we won two out of three – they finished above us on the ladder and really there’s very little between the two teams.”
Pidgeon acknowledge that some of his key players were under a fitness cloud but backed younger players to fill the void should they be unavailable.
“We’ve had a few injury and illness concerns with Jess Parsons and Sophia Saunders who are both very talented and experienced players so we’re hoping they are able to be right for the weekend” Pidgeon said.
Cavalier coach Lynda Colgrave also expects a tight and tense affair with little to separate her side from Cripps. She expects Cavaliers to put the disappointment of last weekend behind them and be up for the contest that the Preliminary final and Cripps will bring
“Obviously we are disappointed about last week’s result but we are ready to bounce back. Cavaliers and Cripps have a long history so we know it’s going to be a tough and physical encounter. Intensity will also need to be a priority for four full quarters.”
In the 19 and Under Prelim-finals last year’s beaten Grand Finalist Glendon Kingston Blues face Cripps Waratah for the opportunity to face Cavaliers in the decider.
Kingston Blues coach Shane Fish expects it to be another tight affair and hopes his side can come out on top.
“I expect a tight and contested affair and am hopeful my players can get the chance to go one better than last year with another shot at Cavs”
Alicia Sergeant coach of the Cripps side also expects a tight contest with only a point separating the sides last time they played but is hoping her side can come out on top in what is their first finals campaign.
“Cripps Waratah will be working hard to produce their best netball for the season to continue their run in the club’s first year in finals. Defensive pressure from all on court will play a key role in achieving this”
The Grand Finals will be held next Saturday night.
Aurora Sports Stadium, June 28th
5.30pm- Country Club Cavaliers vs Cripps/Kingston
7.30pm- Lexus Arrows vs Cavaliers/Cripps
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19/U Prelim-final: 6.30pm
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Kingston Blues vs Cripps Waratah
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Opens Prelim-final: 8.15pm
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Cavaliers vs Cripps Waratah
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Doors will open at 5.30pm.
