IT'S called the A-grade grand final, but there will be a couple of words starting with B that will be spurring on Gisborne and Kangaroo Flat in the BFNL netball premiership decider at the QEO on Saturday. or signup to continue reading For the Bulldogs, they are back-to-back, and for Kangaroo Flat, belief. A highly-anticipated grand final showdown between the Bulldogs and Roos will be the clubs' first against each other since 2013.
If we get something even close to resembling that contest, then we are in for a big day. Gisborne won that one by a solitary goal, after surviving a spirited Kangaroo Flat comeback. The Bulldogs' only other A-grade flag, 10 years later, was also claimed in a one-goal thriller.
Seemingly little has separated the two powerhouses ever since that 2013 epic, with both having hovered around the top-three mark, along with Sandhurst, for most of that period, especially in the post-COVID era. But for a dominant five seasons from the Dragons, headlined by an unprecedented four consecutive premierships, it's always seemed the Bulldogs and Roos were destined to cross paths again on grand final day. That moment has arrived.
Gisborne will be aiming to cap a near-unblemished season, in which they have lost only one game - against Kangaroo Flat in round nine. The Roos will be looking to continue their late-season resurgence, recovering from a pair of losses to Gisborne in round 18 and Sandhurst in the first week of finals, to snare a grand final berth. An A-grade triumph could be the icing on a momentous day for Gisborne, which has all four senior netball teams involved in grand finals, as well as its senior, reserves and under-18 football teams.
Three of the netball teams - A-grade, A-reserve and B-reserve - were the first team through to the grand final. Bulldogs coach Tarryn Rymer said the high number of teams involved had made for an exciting few weeks at Gisborne. "It's nice to have seven out of eight teams playing on Saturday and having everyone in the same boat," she said.
Rymer, who played her 300th club game during the season and will play in Saturday's A-reserve grand final, said it was the great club culture at the Bulldogs that was the driving force behind their success. "I have said this before, people rarely leave our club. People want to come and play and once they play, they don't leave.
"There's a nice culture through our juniors coming up through the ranks, but also, the relationship between the netballers and the footballers, it's mutual. They are both invested in each other's success." Having watched Kangaroo Flat overcome their Sandhurst hoodoo last weekend, Rymer could not have been more impressed with the Roos' hunger and resolve.
As imposing as they were, the Bulldogs coach was expecting them to bring an even greater intensity into Saturday's showdown. It was a really strong performance," Rymer said. "Certainly Ingrid (Hopkins) was strong in defence, not to mention Abbey Ryan's long-range shooting.
"Of course we will need to minimise the impact of Chels (Sartori) and Ash (Ryan) and their ball speed. "We are really going to have to work had to win some ball in our attack end." After a spectacular 13-1 home and away season that included a 22-goal win over the Roos in round 18, and a dominant second semi-final victory over Sandhurst, the Bulldogs could not be better prepared for grand final day.
While Rymer is confident, 'but by no means over-confident', they can produce their best netball when it counts, she is aware round 18 now counts for nothing. "We don't take anything for granted. We talked about the (round 18) game against Flat, and we know that's not representative of them.
"It was nice to see them in form against Sandhurst last week. "We have a plan A and a plan B and we are really working on our structures and connections on court. "Hopefully, the girls can pull through on Saturday, but they know they are going to have to work hard.
" I have said this before, people rarely leave our club. People want to come and play and once they play, they don't leave It might not be plan A or B that the Roos will need to contend with, but possibly plans C and D. The return of dual Betty Thompson Medal winner Maddy Stewart to the line-up this season and the mid-season gain of 2023 premiership defender Zoe Davies after a Super Netball season in England, has given the Bulldogs almost unparalleled flexibility in their line-up.
Stewart, in particular, can and has played in multiple positions and in all three thirds of the court. "We are really lucky. Defensively we have some really strong bigs down back, but we have the luxury of throwing Maddy into our attack line," Rymer said.
"Each combination brings its own strength and flexibility. "It can cause a bit of a headache as well, thinking about which one is going to work. "I want to make the right call on game days.
Jayden has to do the same. "I think the one thing consistent about both teams is our ability to change things up." After missing last year's premiership season while overseas, Rymer said it was great to see Stewart getting her shot at a premiership this season.
"What she brings on and off the court is amazing,"the coach said. "We love having her as a coach and her input and experience. "More than anything, she is one of the most versatile players, who you can plot in any position, and know she will do a solid job.
"She was disappointed to miss out last year, but hopefully we can have a red-hot crack and win one with her here." Kangaroo Flat is certainly daring certainly daring to dream after upstaging the Dragons in last week's preliminary final to book their first grand final berth since 2022. While the Roos, who are chasing their first flag in eight years, have played in two grand finals in Jayden Cowling's time as coach (2019 and '22), the Roos leader feels the atmosphere at Dower Park is much different this time around, filled with greater expectancy and hope.
"Not everyone gets to play in a grand final, but we've made it," he said. "Getting through last week was huge in itself, just knocking off Sandhurst. Finally.
"I am really proud the girls managed to get there. It's really special. "There was certainly lots of emotion after last week's win, but we were quick to reset.
" While there were a few hiccups along the journey, namely a trio of losses to Sandhurst and a rare poor performance against Gisborne at the end of the regular season, Cowling said he had never doubted his side's resolve to make it through to the grand final. "I've always had the belief we could do it, but something just clicked last week." he said.
"I think the mindset really did just change the week before the Eaglehawk (semi-final) win." It's become a buzz word at Kangaroo Flat, but Cowling insists it is their 'belief' that has gotten the Roos this far and what can again get them across the line on Saturday. "It worked for us last week, just believing in ourselves that we can get the job done," he said.
"It's one more game for the year, 60 minutes of netball - we have to play it hard and leave nothing out there. "I'm sure Gisborne will be doing the same, but we just need the belief that we can actually win this premiership. "We have been hungry for it and building towards it for the last couple of years.
I think it's our time." The 2024 version of the Roos boasts three newcomers - goal shooter Chloe Langley and defender Stephanie Greene, who have both come across from South Bendigo, and mid-season acquisition Megan Wilson, from Castlemaine. Cowling said all three had 'fit into the Kangaroo Flat mold very quickly'.
"All the girls have a unique bond away from the court and those three are big contributors to it," he said. "Chloe is playing some really great netball at the right time of the year in that goal circle, sharing the load with Abbey and Annie (Spear). "Steph is just a leader.
She has come to a new club, but really put herself forward. "And for Megan, leaving Castlemaine to come to Kangaroo Flat mid-year was a really big decision, but she has come across and played some strong netball in finals." "Even the Ryan sisters, they haven't experienced a premiership since playing at Golden Square all those years ago.
"Same with Ingrid Hopkins, who hasn't won one. "We just want it." We have been hungry for it and building towards it for the last couple of years.
I think it's our time Adding a special layer to this year's grand final is the strong friendship between the coaches. That was taken to another level this season as the pair guided the Bendigo Strikers 23-and-unders through their debut season in the VNL - Cowling as coach and Rymer as the assistant. Much like throughout the season, grand final week has brought some good-natured banter between the two.
"To be honest, we are both happy for each other to be in a grand final," Cowling said. "It will be nice to share the moment together." Added Rymer: "Quite often this year we'd have a good little chat about Saturdays and what to expect.
"We definitely want the best for both of our teams." DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis.
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