NETBALL
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MINOR premier Morwell will front up for its first grand final on home turf this Saturday when it battles defending champion Sale for the Gippsland League A grade netball flag.
The Tigers have not beaten the Magpies for the past two seasons, but coach Vicki Stevens is hopeful of a breakthrough in the big one at Morwell Recreation Reserve.
“I believe, myself, that the girls can beat them, I think they’ve got to just try and stay calm and it’s very possible they can do the trick,” Stevens said.
“This group of girls has been playing for a little while together and they just feel that perhaps this year is our turn.”
Sale has beaten Morwell twice in the past month, in round 18 and the semi-final a fortnight ago, by almost identical margins, 36-22 and 36-24 respectively.
Stevens said the key would be stringing together a full four quarter effort, having dropped the ball in the final term in recent meetings.
“The girls need to play four quarters of netball, not two or three. The last time we played them at three-quarter-time we were three goals down and it blew out in the last quarter, so we need to be able to play four quarters,” she said.
The Magpies boast plenty of height in the shooting ranks, and Stevens said shutting down supply to the attacking third would be pivotal.
“Realistically I think we’re probably pretty well matched in capabilities so it’s just a matter of playing their game, staying calm and not getting overawed by the whole experience,” Stevens said.
Morwell will also contest the C grade grand final against Traralgon.
