Echuca’s under-15s netballers are set to hit the court in a blockbuster GVL grand final on Sunday morning as they take on the Shepparton Swans.
And fittingly, the premiership clash will be between the two standout sides in the competition this year.
The Swans finished in top spot on the ladder, completing a perfect home-and-away season to earn the minor premiership.
Echuca was hot on their heels, finishing second, just one win behind the Swans.
The game will offer plenty of intrigue, with both teams claiming a win over the other — in both instances their sole loss of the year.
The Swans claimed a 41-36 win over the Murray Bombers in July, but it was Echuca who came out on top 58-50 in their qualifying final clash three weeks ago.
Echuca under-15s coach Gina Pearson said she was expecting a tight battle.
“We beat Shepp in the first round of the finals and I watched them play on the weekend, I think they will be a really tough opposition,” Pearson said.
“We are the only team that has beaten them, and they are the only team that has beaten us, so it will be a tight game, for sure.
“We have been focusing on our full-court defence, from our goal shooter all the way down to our defenders, and that is what we will continue to work on,” she said.
"Last time we were able to pick off the ball and prevent their goalers getting possession. We had some beautiful shooting from our goalers as well.
“It was a whole team performance, and that is what we focus on week in, week out. We are focused on what we do as a team.”
Pearson said there would be some key areas for both teams during the game.
“I always say to the girls that defence wins games, because if we can get our hands on the ball, we have the goalers to shoot. So I think that will be what we’ll be working on throughout this week,” she said.
“For us it will be our ability to keep possession and make good decisions when we have the ball.
“Defensively, I think we are strong enough. In attack, we need to continue to bring the ball down and have lots of players offering.”
The Echuca coach said her side’s flexibility would also hopefully work to its advantage on Sunday.
“We have lots of flexibility in our team, players that can play in lots of different positions,” Pearson said.
“We are a very even side, so coming into the grand final we will come in with confidence knowing that we can make changes and it’s not going to hurt the team.”
Echuca should enter the clash refreshed, earning a week off after its semi-final win over Shepparton Bears a fortnight ago.
For the Swans, a win of their own against the Bears in the prelim also saw them reach the grand final.
Heading into the biggest game of the season on the biggest stage of all, Pearson said her side was pumped and ready to go.
“For all of them it is pretty exciting to play in the finals. They are a great bunch of girls, are all good friends and are very supportive of one another,” she said.
“A win would be fantastic for all the hard work that they have put in, they would be super excited.
“When we won two weeks ago, it was like winning a grand final. They were really pleased with themselves and really happy.”