Mount Burr and Tantanoola will face off in the Mid South Eastern Netball Association A Grade elimination final this Saturday.
The Mozzies are in strong form after jumping from fifth to third spot on the ladder in a dramatic rise in the final round of the season.
Coach Tamara Haggett returned to her old club this year, alongside daughter Madi, who has been outstanding.
She has gelled with Heidi Clark and the pair have become one of the leading defensive duos going round.
They will line up against Emma Gould at GS and Jami Walker at GA for the Tigers.
Gould has had a wonderful year, her height and ability to hold a real strength.
Casey Walker is a key player, who finds space well on the circle feeding her goalies accurately. She is supported by Vic and Alex Lucas.
Mount Burr has shuffled its midcourt but Ava Smith-Muhovics, Ann Guyett and Laura Schultz are extremely valuable players.
They work tirelessly getting the ball down court to Ebony Clark and Sarah Nulty, who are both strong targets in the attack line. They will take on the youth and experience of Tayla Rowe and Kate Bromley.
Tantanoola got up by seven goals last time these teams met in the only match-up of 2021.
Both teams will leave nothing on the court, so it should be a fantastic spectacle with some enthralling matchups.
A Reserve – TANTANOOLA V PT MACDONNELL
Tantanoola meets Port MacDonnell in the A Reserve do-or-die final. The Demons just snuck into the top four after a close win against Kongorong at the weekend, while the Tigers had a safer route.
These two teams have only met once this season and it was Tantanoola getting up by a single goal.
However, Port MacDonnell has a vastly different team with Holly Smith reading the play incredibly well and creating many turnovers, while Megan Hein adds height to the goal circle.
The Tigers have plenty of strength right down the court, Lauren Fensom and Estella Serle have been prominent in goals, while Alana Fensom and Emma Rathjen are a composed mid-court duo.
It is difficult to pick a winner, but it should be a great match.
B Grade – TANTANOOLA V HATHERLEIGH
Aclose contest is on the cards in the B Grade elimination final between Tantanoola and Hatherleigh.
The Tigers have won both previous outings, but only by small margins.
Bek Millowick and Nic Rutkowski are strong in the Tantanoola goals and are well supported by their mid-court.
For the Eagles, Nat Chambers has been a gun all year running the centre position, while their defence is also a force to be reckoned with. Accuracy will be important given the close results in their previous encounters.
B Reserve – GLENCOE V PORT MACDONNELL
In the B Reserve elimination final Glencoe takes on Port MacDonnell in a game which could go either way after both sides knocked each other over this year.
Cristan Smith has years of finals experience in goals for the Demons and is capable of shooting from anywhere inside the circle. She will line up against Glencoe’s tenacious defence duo of Kate Sealey and Krystal Owen. In goals for the Murphies will be Britt Liebich and Lauren Kenny who on their day are hard to beat. Glencoe has suffered injuries issues which could continue to hinder them in their final, but the result could go down to the wire.
17 and Under- MOUNT BURR V ROBE
Mount Burr will take on Robe to stay alive in the oldest junior grade.
The Roosters took the win by seven goals in the previous clash and Maddie Wirth is in great form, shooting with accuracy.
One of the Mozzies strengths is outstanding defensive pressure and allows their goalies plenty of opportunities under the ring, while the midcourt battle will be a good one.
If Robe can continue its form, it will be hard to beat, but finals are a different ball game.
15 and Under KALANGADOO V PT MACDONNELL
The 15 and Under grade will be the first match of the day played between Kalangadoo and Port MacDonnell.
The Demons have taken the points both times the rivals have met during the year, but the Magpies will be a vastly different line-up.
Kalangadoo has talented and accurate goalies in Tegan Lythgo and Gabby Varcoe, while the Bay is sweating on the fitness of their defensive duo, Bridie McPherson and Brooklyn Jones.
The outcome could depend on whether Port MacDonnell can field its usual line-up, but it should be a great way to start the day.
13 and Under – NANGWARRY V MOUNT BURR
The youngest grade puts third-place Nangwarry against fourth-placed Mount Burr and it has the potential to be a tight game.
Both sides have enjoyed four-goal wins in match-ups this year and boast some talented juniors, with some key match ups being crucial to the outcome of this game.
Skye Virtanen for the Saints has been consistent and adds height and speed to her team. She could line up against Sara Smith for the Mozzies, who was a country champ representative this year and has had a stellar season. Nerves will play a part and the team to settle first could have the upper hand.
