A HOTLY contested match awaits when netball powerhouses Horsham and Horsham Saints battle it out for the premiership flag on Saturday.
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It would be safe to say this game could go down to the wire – if their last match was anything to go by.
Saints fought tooth and nail in the final series, taking out Ararat, Minyip-Murtoa and Warrack Eagles to book their spot in the decider at the weekend.
Horsham Saints coach Shannon Reinheimer said the side would be looking to claim a consecutive premiership, but she knows it would be no easy feat.
“Demons won’t let us get our back-to-back premiership easily – it’s going to be close one throughout all four quarters,” she said.
Reinheimer believes the premiers status has gave the side a “psychological advantage” coming into the final decider.
“We have the belief that we can do it because we finished fifth again this year. We have made it to the grand finals again and we have the belief we will pull it off on game day,” she said.
“We have a group of girls who have trust in one another and the belief.
“Throughout the finals series we have had team bonding sessions, which seems to have brought us even more closer as a team.”
Reinheimer said her patience out on the court, which could be the key to bring the premiership home for the second year in a row.
“We have been able to keep our patience out on the court and bring the ball down with patience,” she said.
“We wait for the best opportunities to pass into the goal circle.
“To be able to play each week in the finals series has been a benefit to us – to keep our netball form in line.
Demons coach Pauline Butler said her team was focused on playing their own game at the weekend.
“We need to focus on our game and not their game,” she said. “If we can do that, we will get off to a good start and finish strong.”
Butler said consistency was her team’s downfall when they last faced Saints this season.
“We have no major strategy up our sleeve, just looking at four consistent quarters,” she said.
Butler said her “young and talented” side has speed, accuracy and great pressure that could bring them over the line.
“Mid-court pressure is one strength for us and our speed is another and the way the players gel together,” she said. “Our shooters are a major strength for us and they are accurate goalies.”
Butler said the A grade decider was going to be a tight tussle.
“It will ultimately come down to who the better side is on the day,” she said.