It’s a David and Goliath showdown in the 17 and under netball grand final, where the undefeated Bonnie Doon will front up against a determined Moyhu outfit in the last match of the season.
The Bombers have led the pack for the entire season, showcasing their class and teamwork week in and week out on their way to the grand final.
After claiming the flag last year, and their dominant season to date, pressure will be on the Bombers to claim the threepeat.
Bonnie Doon coach Amy Starzer praised her side’s efforts to make it to the finals with barely a blemish on their record.
“We’ve been the team that everyone’s been chasing all season, we definitely go into this game quite confident but also with a lot of pressure on us as well, but I definitely think they’re up to the challenge,” she said.
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“It does involve pressure on the day because you’ve gone through this season undefeated and you’re expected to win, but we’ve talked about it as a team, what that means, how we deal with that pressure, and on the day, how we deal with our nerves going forward.
“I really think they’re up for the challenge, their heads are in the right spot.”
Starzer said the Hoppers would present a challenge, and despite having the wood over them all year, the Bombers wouldn’t underestimate their foes.
“They’re also a really strong outfit, a really quick, smart team, so we know we’ll definitely have to play our best if we want to match it with them,” she said.
“We’ll have to control our errors on the day, we’ll have to play our best netball to come out with the win.”
After finishing the season third overall, the Hoppers have produced a stunning run through the finals series to end up in the big dance.
Moyhu coach Jacqueline Lake said she was immensely proud of her squad, who have fought through some tough times.
“When they go on the court together, they’re fighting not for themselves, they’re fighting for everyone else,” she said.
“We’ve had to overcome a lot of not adversity, but challenges throughout the year.
“We lost two players to injury in the preseason, so we started the year with seven players, so they’ve all had to rise to the occasion, otherwise what season were we going to have?
“We certainly didn’t expect to get as far as we have, but every week we have come to a game, everyone’s surpassing expectations and coming to it with so much excitement.”
In a fascinating turn which can only happen in community sport, four Moyhu sisters will line up on the court together in the decider.
Mia Ford will play alongside sisters Danielle, Anna, and Isobella in the biggest game of the season, in what will be a special moment for the club and the family.
Lake said Bonnie Doon would be tough to put down, but backed her team in to deliver the goods.
“They’re certainly a really strong team, so I don’t know they necessarily have a lot of vulnerabilities,” she said.
“They’re quite a strong side, and clearly a very well-oiled machine given they’ve got five sides in [netball] finals this year.
“We’re just going to go out there and do our best, play our own game and focus on our own strategies rather than playing into their own.”
The 17 and under grand final between Bonnie Doon and Moyhu starts from 10.30am.
