KELSEY’S LIGHTNING STRIKE
Geelong netball star Kelsey Browne says the dream of winning back-to-back Super Netball premierships at Sunshine Coast Lightningg has driven her in the past month. .
GEELONG netball star Kelsey Browne says the dream of winning back-to-back Super Netball premierships has driven her in the past month.
The Sunshine Coast Lightning are on the verge of repeat flags after muscling their way into this weekend’s grand final from fourth spot.
The reigning premiers overcame minor premier Giants Netball on Sunday to book their spot in this Sunday’s de- cider against West Coast Fever in Perth.
Browne, 26, said winning consecutive premierships would be a dream come true.
“Going back-to-back is something that for the last couple of weeks have been a big part of my thought process,” Browne told the Geelong Advertiser.
“It’s hard not to get excited and caught up in that, and I think we’re all just relishing the opportunity to be together and going into every training session making it entertaining and enjoyable so we can enjoy the experience and not get caught up in the nerves.
“I think in this finals campaign, the belief of the team has been pretty massive. I don’t think anyone really expected us to get here, to be honest.
“I think everyone thought we’d be going out first round, so to be there and have the opportunity to go back-to-back is something that’s super special to us.”
The Lightning are arguably the form side left in the comp, having not lost since last meeting the Fever on July 7.
“I think we’ve won the last seven out of eight, so that puts us in good stead, but none of those games have been that convincing,” Browne said.
“I think we’re still searching for that 60 minutes of netball that we can put together.
“But we’ve been slowly building over the last seven weeks and I think that’s been really crucial for us going into finals, that we’ve had to fight and claw our way back.”
But Browne said beating Fever in Perth would be a tough ask.
“We’ve dropped both of our games to Fever by a goal this year. It’s interesting for us going into a grand final against a team we haven’t beaten but that’s just another thing to add to the challenge,” she said.
“Definitely over there at Perth they’ve got an amazing home crowd and it’s a real advantage for them. I know they’ll be confident going in with that behind them, but for us it’s about going over there and doing a job.”