BY NATHAN DOLE
GISBORNE takes a shot at consecutive A-grade netball premierships for the first time in its Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL history in Saturday’s grand final.
A talented Kangaroo Flat team which is striving to end a premiership drought of eight years stands in Gisborne’s way as they take to the court at Queen Elizabeth Oval in View Street at 3pm.
If results of Gisborne’s two premiership wins are anything to go by then fans can expect another thriller.
The Tarryn Rymer-coached Bulldogs beat Sandhurst by a goal as last September’s finale went into overtime.
Only showdown between Gisborne and Kangaroo Flat for the A-grade title was in 2013 when the red, white and blue won 39-38.
The Kangaroos are vying for a ninth A-grade premiership.
At Wednesday night’s media conference in the lead-up to the grand final, Gisborne coach Tarryn Rymer spoke about the quest for back-to-back premierships.
“It’s something we have never had the opportunity to play for,” Rymer said.
This season’s meetings between the teams stand at one-all.
Kangaroo Flat won at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve in round nine by four goals.
The Bulldogs took the points in a 53-31 victory on the Kangaroos’ court in the 18th round in Dower Park.
“Defensively it was one of our best matches of the season,” Rymer said.
“We generated a lot of pressure, let go of the ball quickly and capped off attacks with goals.”
Although it was a 22-goal margin, Rymer is wary of an opponent which carries plenty of confidence into the season decider.
“Kangaroo Flat has a great ability to re-invent itself.”
After a four-goal loss to Sandhurst in the qualifying final, Kangaroo Flat bounced back to beat Eaglehawk in the first semi-final.
The Roos then faced long-time nemesis, Sandhurst in the preliminary final and won by four goals.
“Kangaroo Flat is in great form,” Rymer said.
“Limiting the impact Chelsea Sartori and Ash Ryan have in mid-court will be important.”
Grand final week tipped off with Sartori claiming back-to-back Betty Thompson Medal wins as the competition’s fairest and best players.
There’s plenty of star power in a Gisborne line-up which has Kirby Elliott and Claudia Mawson as co-captains.
“The return of Zoe Davies was a huge plus for us,” Rymer said of the gun defender who played in England with Leeds Rhinos.
“We have been able to move players to various positions and have quite a lot of combinations to use.”
After finishing the regular season on top of the ladder, Gisborne won the second semi-final against Sandhurst and earned a week’s rest.
“Being able to stick to our game plan and slow the tempo when we need to is really important.”
A 13-1 run record across the home-and-away series was a sign of Gisborne’s dominance.
“The great thing about all of our team is the want to improve, individually and as a team,” Rymer said.
Netball has played a massive part in Jayden Cowling’s life since he first played the game in grade two.
A long-time coach at the Roos he has marked premiership success in A-reserve and B-grade, but not the top bracket just yet.
He said a “straight sets” exit in last year’s finals series stung.
“It didn’t sit well with any of us.
“We have worked hard to make this grand final.”
A gun centre and captain of the Roos’ team, Chelsea Sartori said the standard of play across the Bendigo FNL has risen dramatically the past few seasons.
“There are a lot now playing with VNL clubs and then you have Claudia (Mawson) and Charlotte Sexton who have gone to a higher level.
“The ferocity of matches, especially between the top three teams is amazing.”
Cowling said Kangaroo Flat’s mind-set focused on belief.
“It’s about can do and we will.
“We beat Gisborne earlier in the year, match-up well against them, and learnt a lot from last time we played them.”
The Roos’ off-court leader said there were many crucial contests to be played.
“There are stars everywhere.
“One of the best to watch will be our wing defence, Milly Wicks against Maddy Stewart.
“Another will be Ingrid Hopkins in defence against Claudia Mawson.”
The Roos’ have plenty of goalscoring options led by Chloe Langley, Abbey Ryan and Annie Spear.
It’s not a first grand final for Cowling who also has great support from family.
Among his biggest influences is older sister, Lauren Bowles who is a multiple premiership-winning player and coach of the Winslow White Hills Demons.
Opposition coaches on Saturday, Jayden Cowling and Tarryn Rymer teamed up as coach and assistant coach of the Bendigo Strikers 23-and-under team in its first Victorian Netball League season.
There will be plenty of red, white and blue courtside on Saturday as Gisborne has four teams vying for grand final glory.
In A-reserve, Gisborne takes on the surging Strathfieldsaye Storm.
It’s Gisborne and Sandhurst in action across the B-grade and B-reserve finals.
Play begins at 9am when Sandhurst and Golden Square contest the 17-and-under grand final.