No senior sides will play finals for the Benalla All-Black Football and Netball Club this season, but the news is not all doom and gloom on Ackerley Ave, with the under-15s netball side chasing finals glory.
Coached by Jemma Smith, the All-Blacks will head into their elimination clash at North Wangaratta Recreation Reserve with the belief they can upset the more fancied Greta.
Coming off a resounding 33-3 win against Goorambat, the squad heads into the finals with momentum and is relishing being underdogs against Greta.
The girls lost 28-10 to Greta in round six and are keen for revenge.
Much has changed since then. After starting the season with a sluggish one win out of five matches, the Panthers have stormed home with eight wins out of the last 12 to lock in sixth place on the ladder.
Smith said having comfortably beaten lower table sides, the team had begun to compete better against more fancied opposition as the season progressed.
A tie against fourth-placed Milawa and a win against fifth-placed Moyhu is evidence of their ability to compete with some of the region’s stronger teams.
The Panthers take on the Blues at North Wangaratta Recreation Reserve on Saturday, August 24 at 9.30am.