By Tyler Lewis
Narre Warren coach Shelly Mashado will be instructing her girls to stick to the basics before this Sunday’s Outer East Premier Division grand final.
The Pies will take on their second semi-final opponent – Olinda Ferny Creek – for the fourth time this season, after the Bloods defeated Wandin 35-34 in a nail-biting preliminary final.
Being the fourth time the two sides have met this season, the Co-Coach of the Year has developed a strong understanding of what the Bloods do strongly.
“They defend well and carry the ball down the court really well,” Mashado said.
“It’ll be Hayley Howard, Krista Tomlinson and Alice Paget (to watch out for)… we just need to stick to the basics, the basics win games of netball.”
In the second semi-final a fortnight ago, the Magpies defeated Olinda Ferny Creek 50-45.
Mashado’s partner in crime – Erin Bell – was excellent, as was Gabrielle Dwyer, who earned high praise from her coach.
“She was outstanding,” she said.
“Gabrielle has had an outstanding year, for someone to come in from being a goal shooter, to being a defender in only one year – she’s had an outstanding year.”
Like many Narre Warren teams this Sunday, there will be an external performance expectation.
But Mashado announced that the girls are exceptional at blocking out outer noise and focusing on the task at hand.
“We don’t even know that in all honesty,” she said of being considered a favourite.
“We’ve kept it very low key and we’ve just focused on our game, we know there is a job ahead of us, we’re just focusing on that job ahead of us.
“We wouldn’t even know that we’re favourites in all honesty.”
While Mashado urges her girls to have fun and soak up the privilege of playing on grand final day, niceties will be put aside, as winning all seven netball premierships are the reward on offer.
“My pre-game message to the girls will be go out there and give it 110 per cent,” she said.
“You play for one another, they’ve played for one another all year, just do your best and have fun, I’ll be honest with them.
“They want to win, I am not going to lie, they want to win and celebrate afterwards.
“I just think it’s been a fantastic season for the whole of Narre Warren Football Netball Club.
“To have nine teams in competing for flags… anything is possible on the day; let’s hope its nine flags for the club!”
In Division One, Berwick launched into the grand final after a stirring win over Seville.
The Wickers fell short of the Blues just two weeks ago, but managed to recollect and secure a strong 42 to 31 victory.
Berwick captain Emma Clarke was tremendous, scoring 32 goals, while Hayley Ray converted 23 for Seville.
Danielle Hanley, Emma Clarke and Melissa Webster were named best on court for Berwick, while Cleo Minney, Hayley Ray, Ella Bayliss were the pick of the Seville players.
Seville will play Yarra Glen in this Saturday’s preliminary final, after the Bulls defeated Emerald in strikingly similar fashion.
The Bulls led at every change on their way to the 42 to 31 win.
Stephanie Gibbs was a formidable force for the victorious side, scoring 28 goals.
Yarra Glen will take enormous confidence out of its round 15 draw with Seville, as the 44 apiece contest demonstrated it has the arsenal to compete with the best.
Katelyn Vanderkolk, Jacqueline Hibberd and Lara Wandin-Collins were the best players for the Bulls that day, but they’ll need a full-court performance if they are to send the minor premiers packing in straight sets.
