Painful losses to fire up both teams
IF the BFL netball community thinks it is only Geelong Amateur who are reeling after last season’s finals series they are very wrong.
Ammos may have lost the grand final by a goal to Torquay after finishing on top of the table, but Modewarre, its opponent in today’s decider, also went through plenty of pain after exiting in straight sets.
The Warriors nearly went down to Torquay last week, but won by a single goal just a week after falling to Ammos in overtime, and captain Lauren Lapsley said there was a much better feeling around the club this time around.
“We had a really good year last year, similar to this year, and got beaten by Ammos then Torquay, but we’ve had a much better preparation this time,” Lapsley said.
“Leading into finals we had four or five really strong games so we have been building at the right time of year.
“I think there have been two goals that have separated us in all three games with Ammos so it will be no different this week.
“But no matter what combination goes on we’re all going to give 100 per cent. We’re going to do our jobs to the best of our ability and hopefully that can get us over the line.”
Geelong Amateur has spent its week off by playing practice games with GFL clubs in order to ensure they maintain their match awareness ahead of the biggest match of the year.
Ammos captain Kate Schippers conceded the agony of last year’s defeat was still fresh in some players’ minds.
“Especially (losing) by one, it was pretty tough, so it’s definitely playing on our minds that we don’t want to feel like that at the end again, so we’ve been putting in the hard yards,” Schippers said.
“But it’s just about going back to our normal structures and basic game play. It’s what we know and we’ve had two draws so it goes to show we’re very evenly matched.
“You have to score to win, but if we can get a couple of intercepts up the other end then that is a bonus and that is how you win a game of netball.”
The BFNL premier grand final kicks off at 3pm today at Drysdale Recreation Reserve.