By DAVID NAGEL
THIS is it!
After months of gruelling training and pounding the pavement in search of victory – it comes down to six games of netball to decide the first ever champions of the South East Football Netball League.
The first whistle will blow and see Hampton Park and Pakenham collide in Saturday’s qualifying final at Edwin Flack Reserve.
The Redbacks defeated the Lions by 18 goals back in round one, but coach Kylie Kibble and her girls were forced into a 34-34 draw in round 13.
Does she now fear the Lions?
“Not at all, I think if we play our best netball we can beat them all over the court,” was Kibble’s blunt and honest assessment of this week’s clash.
“Emma (Goal-Shooter Emma Ryde) didn’t play the last time we met, that’ll make a huge difference, and the girls are playing really good netball at the moment.”
Both teams have some serious talent -and height- in attack, with Ryde the key for the Redbacks while Rachel Priestly has starred for the Lions at this time of the year before.
“It’s going to be tough, but our girls have all played at an elite level at some stage of their career so we won’t be intimidated,” Lions’ coach Kerry Twyford said.
But it’s the Redbacks by an even 10.
Sunday’s elimination final, between Beaconsfield and Doveton at ROC, is a bit of a weird one, with the fifth-placed Doves dominating their encounters against the fourth-placed Eagles this year.
The Eagles have Georgie Benbow, Kylie Baker and Kaela Hughes all capable of feeding Bianca Sanzaro and Andi Dickson, while Dani Cameron, Kaitlyn Paligorov and Gabi Stinear are all miserly defenders indeed.
But can they stop Rahni Samason?
The Doves’ dynamo has been terrific this year, laser-like with her accuracy, and receiving great support from Rita Kaye-White, while defenders Cara Humbert and Aggie Seeto are two of the most athletic players in the league.
This one will be tight … but it’s the Doves to prevail by three.
In round 18 action, Narre Warren bookends Elly Stewart (GS) and Tracey Dell (GK) were superb in the Magpies 51-28 victory over Beaconsfield. Samason was on fire early for Doveton, slotting 14 first-quarter goals, while the two Kate’s, Murphy and Sidebottom dominated through the midcourt in the Doves 64-38 win over Cranbourne, while Pakenham made it five wins on end with an 18-goal win, 54-36, at ROC.
Rachel Priestly (GS) and Toni Dart (GA) combined well for the Lions while Michelle Briggs (GK) and Olivia Hunt (GD) were frugal at the opposite end of the court.
Hampton Park warmed up for this week’s clash with the Lions with a 54-33 victory over Tooradin.
