Finals time has arrived in the Goulburn Murray Cricket women’s competition with newcomers flourishing and contenders clearly established.
As it shook out, this became a season where the top six was so clearly separated from the bottom five you could have comfortably predicted this weekend’s fixtures a fortnight ago.
Mooroopna is undoubtedly the story of season 2023-24, with the Cats setting sail on their inaugural women’s campaign ― and taking the competition to task from the outset.
An unblemished 10-0 record has Mooroopna, one of multiple incoming sides this year, take an immediate stranglehold on finals as well, breaking through to host a qualifying final against Echuca Green.
Echuca Green’s offensive power took a back seat to few but the Cats.
It may make for surprising reading to learn that the seemingly unstoppable 10-0 Cats have only bowled their opponents out once, although that came against a formidable foe on paper in Kyabram.
The offensive prowess has been the main character of Mooroopna’s story to this point, with Amani Issell and Gemma Boyd often swinging freely.
Perhaps the opposite can be said of the visitors, with Chloe Moyle spearheading an Echuca Green attack that has restricted foes to 242 runs over its past five completed games.
You read that correctly: Echuca Green conceded an average of just 48.4 runs across the entire second half of regular season play.
That said, this qualifying final makes for a massive affair at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, and Cats captain Lauren Hall understands that no cakewalk awaits at the weekend.
“Echuca Green are a pretty solid team and it’ll be a challenge for us, but hopefully we can get it done and it can see us through,” Hall said.
“We just make sure that we’ve got an even balance of top-order bats and top bowlers, so we’re not crumbling after five overs.
“We’ve got some good girls coming up, like Amani Issell and Ebony Sleeth.
“Amani really hits the ball hard and it’s that or nothing. She’s great in the field, with the bat and as a bowler.
“It’s good for Mooroopna to have this club up and running. I’m pretty keen to see how it all unfolds (on Sunday).”
The Cats weren’t the only debutants to make a splash in season 2023-24, though.
Nagambie established itself as a prominent force from the get-go, racing to a 5-0 record much as Mooroopna did.
Shepparton United, which will make the trip to Nagambie Recreation Reserve for an elimination final Sunday, handed the Lakers their first league defeat.
Nagambie’s momentum mainly stalled after that, losing all four meetings with other finals-bound teams in the final five rounds.
United remains the other local hope, although form is just as big a concern after dropping consecutive games to fellow finalists Kyabram and Echuca Green before sitting out the final round with a bye.
The affair allows two of the league’s elite talents to collide again, with Kait Carracher and Mel Saunders leading their respective sides after stellar individual seasons.
Katamatite and Kyabram will meet in the other week one finals fixture, with the Tigers enduring a frustrating spell after the festive break.
Weather forced the abandonment of their trip to Rochester before a bye in the penultimate round preceded a nail-biting defeat to Nagambie.
However, Katamatite can hang its hopes on having knocked over Kyabram last time out.
The Redbacks haven’t always had runs on the board, only crossing into triple figures once during the regular season ― in the final round against Rochester ― but Penny Mason’s powerful knock on the last day was a warning shot ahead of finals.