The netball rivalry of Rumbalara and Nathalia will add an exciting new chapter this Saturday afternoon, as the two Murray Netball League powerhouses gear up for an epic preliminary final bout.
Taking the courts at Deniliquin’s Hardinge Street Oval, both sides come into this do-or-die clash on the back of an excellent patch of form.
Despite going down by one goal, many would argue Rumba’s performance against undefeated Deniliquin in last weekend’s second semi-final was their best of the season, as they led for the majority of proceedings before falling in heart-breaking fashion.
Nathalia, on the other hand, will take a lot of confidence out of its first two finals, easily accounting for Mulwala and Moama in a pair of do-or-die contests.
With the teams combining for a total of five losses this season, Purples coach Blaise Mortimer said she was excited about the challenge Rumba would present.
“The vibe around the group is really good, we had a very good game on the weekend and the girls played really well together, so we are up and about and excited for this preliminary final,” Mortimer said.
“That (final between Rumba and Deniliquin) was a really good game, I think Rumba was a bit unlucky not to win, so to now play against them this week it is going to be a huge challenge, but at the same time one we are excited to embrace.”
Nathalia has had its battles against Rumbalara in 2022, losing both home and away matches by margins of 20 and 12 goals.
But finals are a different beast and Mortimer said her team was confident it could turn the tide this time around.
“I have thought all season that Rumba are going to be our toughest competition, I just think with the way we match up we are pretty similar sides,” she said.
“I will always back our defence to get the job done and Rumba are also a strong defensive team, so it is going to be a case of us working through their defence and getting enough good looks in our attack end.
“We just have to play smart netball, be hungry from the start and if we do that I am confident we can get a win.”
For Nathalia, an opportunity to play on grand final day is some two years in the making after it finished 2021 on top of the ladder before COVID-19 devastatingly cut the season short.
Mortimer said the chance to play off for the ultimate prize would mean so much to her determined group.
“It would be huge (if we could get to a grand final),” she said.
“It was absolutely gut-wrenching to have that opportunity taken away from us last year when we were minor premiers and playing great netball.
“We felt like we had one hand on the trophy last year, so this year we have come together, we are hungry for it and it would be so good to get through to the granny and have a go at what we didn’t get a chance to play for last year.”
Murray Football Netball League preliminary final day
Venue: Hardinge Street Oval, Deniliquin
Football: Mulwala v Moama, 2pm
A-grade netball: Rumbalara v Nathalia, 1.30pm