The stage is set for a massive Picola District Netball League A-grade grand final, with Strathmerton and Tungamah booking spots in the big dance.
Two entertaining preliminary finals on the weekend set up the intriguing premiership decider, with Strathmerton too strong for Picola United and Tungamah outclassing Katamatite.
The Bulldogs came out firing on Saturday in Rennie, with a strong four-quarter performance getting the side across the line.
The 48-to-26 result was a comprehensive one and Strathmerton coach Olivia Osborne said it was an enormous achievement to make the grand final.
“This is my first year coaching and to coach to a grand final is amazing,” she said.
“I can’t take any credit away from my team, their ability has been great this year so just to be able to get them to gel together has probably been our secret to making the grand final.”
Osborne said that with the two sides meeting in the 2019 decider, her players knew they would have to come out strong.
She emphasised that it was a team effort to reach the grand final, with the side full of contributors across the court.
“They were going to come out hard and we needed to come out just as hard,” she said.
“I think having the week off the girls were keen to get out there and get on court.”
Osborne outlined the performance of Kate Betson at wing defence, while Grace Thomson and Amy Carter also stood out.
The result sets up a clash with Tungamah in the grand final, with the Bears too strong for Katamatite in Tocumwal on Sunday.
A well-rounded team performance saw the side pick up a 53-to-44 win and coach Jayanna Sharp said it was great to secure a place in the grand final.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better game than Katamatite, they are such a great side to come up against and they’ve been a good side all year,” Sharp said.
“To be able to put a good game of netball together in the preliminary final, I couldn’t ask more from the girls.”
Sharp said the tough contest prepared them well for a showdown with Strathmerton in the grand final, with Chelsea Sidebottom one of several contributors on Sunday afternoon.
“Obviously we’ll give it all we’ve got and hopefully that will get it done for us,” she said.
“Eight girls took the court and eight girls did their job so I can’t ask for any more from them.”