As it began, so too will it end.

In a bizarre quirk of fixturing and perhaps destiny, the teams contesting the A grade grand final will have faced each other in the first and last days of the season.

Whorouly and Bonnie Doon last met all the way back in round one, so this week’s decider will be a completely different outing from their last encounter.

The Lions haven’t been in the big dance since 2012, and have been held flagless in A grade since 2011, so there’s a lot on the line for them this weekend.

But if anyone can do it, it’s this group.

“There is a core group of girls who have been around the club for some time now which has given us a great foundation and a real drive to do better,” Whorouly coach Kelly Cousins said.

“I think one of the keys to our success this year stems from a collective effort rather than the reliance on individual stars.

“Everyone has embraced their role and contributed right across the season - it’s taken the entire eight players to stand up when needed, but there is a definite hunger and passion to win a flag among the group that has been driving the girls all year.”

The Lions are the best defensive team in the competition, building their game from unwavering defensive pressure right down the court.

Couple that with some firepower under the post, and the Lions have a potentially flag-winning formula in place.

Cousins said they weren’t going to let Bonnie Doon’s familiarity with the big stage throw them off the game style which has seen them make the grand final.

“If we can focus on executing our game plan and ensuring every player is accountable for their role, we’ll be well positioned for a great contest,” she said.

“I think Bonnie Doon have plenty of talent right throughout their team so focusing on any single player in particular would be a mistake on our behalf.”

As the reigning premiers, there is an added expectation on Bonnie Doon to rise to the challenge once again.

The Bombers have stunned the competition through finals, making it to the grand final from a fifth-placed finish, knocking off teams like Tarrawingee and Milawa on their way.

“I knew once we got to finals and had consistency we would get there, because we just have not had a consistent year with player availability, so I knew once we hit finals and everyone would be available that we would be a serious contender,” Bonnie Doon coach Michelle Tanner said.

“We had to build a whole new team, we’ve only got two remaining players from our premiership side last year, so we did have to build a whole new team, but the girls are definitely up to it.

“They’ve been building in finals, they’ve shown some really good netball in the last couple of weeks.”

Tanner said having the full season between their matches with Whorouly meant it was essentially a blank slate.

“We watched them in the final against Milawa, that was all we saw, but it’s a reflection on last year because we hadn’t played Greta either,” she said.

“It was an unknown for us then, and Whorouly’s a bit the same.

“We’ll try to stick to our game plan and worry about that.”

The stage is set for a massive A grade netball grand final, and it all starts from 3pm.