Sunday’s A Grade elimination final between Wickliffe-Lake Bolac and Moyston-Willaura shapes up to be an intriguing one, with both sides carrying winning form into the do or die match.
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The Magpies finished one win ahead of the Pumas in fourth place at the end of the home and away season, with the Pumas scraping through to the top five.
They narrowly held off the Demons in the final round of the season by one-goal to book a finals spot, winning in a finals like atmosphere.
The Magpies have had a vastly different preparation, easily taking care of Great Western last weekend.
Wickliffe-Lake Bolac A Grade coach Melissa Lewis said she is confident her side can get the job done this weekend.
“I am feeling pretty positive,” she said.
“We dropped a few games in the last few rounds against some top teams but those contests have prepared us well.”
The Magpies have had an unsettled lineup for much of the season, with regular injuries changing the look of the team week to week.
Lewis said her side has settled down in recent weeks and is gelling well.
“We have had no injuries in the last three games so we have good opportunities to get our finals team settling,” she said.
“We are ready to take on finals with a strong team.”
Related: Do or die for Hawks and Demons
The Magpies have winning form over the Pumas, winning 55-45 when they met back in round eight.
Both teams will snap A Grade finals droughts, with the Pumas last appearing in 2015 and the Magpies in 2014.
The Magpies have made huge in-roads since last season, winning just four games in 2017. “It is exciting for a lot of girls have never had a taste of finals,” Lewis said.
“It will be interesting to see how we adapt to the different style finals presents.
“It will be far from easy but we are all looking forward to the challenge.”
Lewis said the return of Simone McDonald in recent weeks is big for her side.
“With Simone back and the combos we have I think we can have a real good crack at the finals,” she said.
Woorndoo-Mortlake and Penshurst will battle it out in the A Grade qualifying final, with the winner to face minor premiers Tatyoon next weekend.
Ararat Eagles has the week off in B grade and will play the winner of Tatyoon and Woorndoo-Mortlake.
The Hawks and Tigers will also face in the C Grade qualifying final, while the Pumas will try to keep their C Grade season going for one more week, playing Glenthompson-Dunkeld.