Wangaratta will play its first home game in five weeks on a brand new court in the Ovens and Murray A-grade grand final against Albury on Sunday.
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Magpies’ head netball coach Lou Byrne admitted training away from Norm Minns Oval was “detrimental” to their preparation.
Wangaratta was forced to go to the outdoor courts at Barr Reserve before receiving access to the grand final venue last Thursday.
“The lighting is not the greatest there, but we had to persevere with the situation,” Byrne said.
“It was detrimental being away from our home court, but in the end it hasn’t impacted us a lot thank goodness.”
Byrne doesn’t believe the Magpies should be considered clear favourites because Albury has earned its place as much as they have.
“They just keep going about it, they’re tight, they put a lot of pressure on everybody on the court and their shooters are extremely accurate,” Byrne said.
“Jess Fisher-Curnow is a huge key to that team.”
Katie Dean will line up on Fisher-Curnow, who won the league’s Hot Shot award with 83 per cent.
Tigers’ coach Olivia Aughton said her side has the belief it deserves to be in a grand final.
“From the first game this season, I felt something really special with this group of girls,” she said.
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