UNDERDOG RAMS

A grade prepared for grand final against Moama

The Deni Rams A grade will have the opportunity to end a 13 year premiership drought when they take on Murray League netball juggernaut Moama in the grand final at Rumbalara tomorrow.

The Rams’ last premiership win came in 2005, when the club made history by becoming the first A grade side to win four flags in a row.

Since that moment however, Deni have only been able to reach one grand final, with a five goal loss to Mulwala in 2011 the closest they have come to a premiership.

A premiership win looks unlikely for the Rams this year, coming up against a Moama side that defeated them by 49 goals just four weeks ago.

Despite all of this, Rams coach Jodie Sefton is still confident that her side can upset the Pies.

‘‘We’re obviously the underdogs but we think we have the side that could beat Moama,’’ she said.

‘‘We’re taking nothing from our last game against them because we had missing players and a few players who were playing while ill that day.

‘‘We probably look back to the game prior to round 20 where we were with Moama until half time.

‘‘If we can keep with them like that again and push that extra bit then we should be right in it.

‘‘But we’ve got to come up with a different game plan to beat them. We can’t do what we’ve done in the past, so we’ll fine tune what we need to do at training (last night).’’

There are plenty of mouthwatering battles expected tomorrow, with both sides boasting top talent all over the court.

Rams centre Eleisha Bartlett will need to be at her best when she faces off with Charlotte Long, with another midcourt battle between Hayley Hall and Alex Daly also one to watch.

Young defender Ella Park will likely get the role on gun shooter Angela Slattery and at the other end of the court 17 year-old Leah Blake will be met with the challenge of key defender Jodie Lake.

‘‘Moama have been the yardstick for the last two years,’’ Sefton said.

‘‘They’ve brought a new level to the competition where rather than having a team with a couple of stars, they’ve got the full team of talent across the court.

‘‘They might’ve won the flag last year but I believe they’re a stronger side this year.

‘‘The girls are all pretty excited for the weekend though with the pressure mainly being on Moama.

‘‘We’re excited for the challenge but we’re not content with just appearing in a grand final.

‘‘We want this desperately and we believe that we have got one more win left in us.’’