THEY’RE the only team to have beaten Yarrawonga all season and Lavington co-coach Tamara Mathews is adamant the Panthers can repeat the dose in the grand final.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Pigeons have spent most of the year as flag favourites after moving through the home and away season undefeated.
But Mathews said the Panthers were confident they could topple the Pigeons again after downing the competition powerhouse in the second semi-final to book an early passage into Sunday’s decider.
“We’ve been quietly confident all season and had a belief that we can match it with Yarra,” she said.
“Probably people outside the club didn’t give us much of a chance but we have just worked on what we needed to work on.
“We know a lot of the Yarrawonga girls quite well having played against them for a number of years and, likewise, they’ll know our players as well.
“It’s going to come down to who can put together 60 minutes.
“The girls have enjoyed the week off, it’s given them a chance to relax and enjoy it and then step things up this week.”
Emily Browne, who won the Toni Wilson Medal in 2012, has made a stunning return to the Panthers’ midcourt and, along with sharpshooter Skye Hillier, has been a key in the club’s push to the grand final.
The Panthers are aiming for their third premiership after also winning flags in 2013 and 1998.
While Lavington is entering just its third grand final since the netball competition started in 1993, Yarrawonga is into the big dance for the 14th time. It will be the 10th grand final in a row featuring Yarrawonga, with the Pigeons winning five of their past nine deciders.
Goalkeeper Hannah Symes looms as a player to watch after taking out the Toni Wilson Medal on Monday while star shooter Bridget Cassar will be keen to bounce back from a disappointing second semi-final.
Co-coach Laura Bourke said the Pigeons were itching for a shot at redemption after losing year’s grand final to Wodonga.
“We’ve got a few of the same girls in the side, they’re going to use that to motivate themselves,” she said.
“Losing is a horrible feeling and the girls know that.
“Lavi are a great side, we’re both really fit and athletic which makes for a great tussle on the court.
“All three of our games have been really, really tough.
“The girls were happy to get another game under their belt against a really tough North Albury side.
“I think the extra bit of court-time and playing in a finals-type game on Sunday will really help us.”
Xavier Mardling
Xavier started at The Border Mail in Albury-Wodonga in 2001, covering sport and general news before moving to the subs' desk. He was editor of his hometown masthead from 2016 to 2020 before swapping the Murray for Merewether. He returned to The Border Mail as editor in 2023.
Xavier started at The Border Mail in Albury-Wodonga in 2001, covering sport and general news before moving to the subs' desk. He was editor of his hometown masthead from 2016 to 2020 before swapping the Murray for Merewether. He returned to The Border Mail as editor in 2023.
