Coutas prepare for first final in 30 years

OCEAN Grove has yet to defeat Queenscliff in 2023 and will look to buck that trend when the two sides meet later today (Saturday, August 19) in the Bellarine Netball League’s qualifying final at Portarlington Recreation Reserve.

Grubbers head coach Candice Parker praised Queenscliff’s structure ahead of the two sides’ meeting, following the Coutas’ 56-55 win over Ocean Grove last weekend.

“We need to make sure we stick to our style of play, I think we got away from that a bit for three quarters last time out, but we’ll definitely look to settle into the game quickly this week,” she said.

“It’ll come down to taking the game head on, taking the moment on, and hopefully we can come away with the win this time around.”

While Parker hasn’t suited up for Ocean Grove in 2023 in a move away from the action, Ocean Grove still has several experienced veterans on the playing list , including Ashton O’Brien, Kelsey Ollis, Mia Smith, and the season’s second-highest scorer and co-coach Rebecca O’Neill.

Queenscliff has defeated Ocean Grove in both encounters this season, handing the Grubbers two of its three losses in 2023.

In Round 7, the Coutas defeated the Grubbers 43-48 on the away court, and won again last weekend at Queenscliff Reserve.

Tomorrow will mark Queenscliff’s first A Grade netball finals appearance in almost 30 years, head coach Katrina Daws said, but she isn’t letting the season ledger or the occasion dictate the side’s confidence.

“We can’t base anything on how we went during the season for finals, it’s an entirely different ball game

“We have a little bit of a matchup on Bec [O’Neill] with Charli Nicol, who didn’t actually play last week, but we were able to combat that.

“But they’re not a team that is ever going to give anything to you easily. They came back at us quite hard over last weekend.

“We know what Ocean Grove is capable of and with coaches like Candice and Bec at the helm, they have amazing netball minds and they’re constantly thinking two steps ahead of everyone else.”

Queenscliff’s A Grade squad has emerged as one of the year’s standout sides, improving from a four-win 2022 campaign to a double-chance finals opportunity in 2023.

“It’s been a long time coming for the girls and it’s really exciting for the entire club as well,” Daws said.

“We have girls in the side with finals experience at different levels and clubs, so we’re fine on that front, the challenge now is directing the excitement into Saturday’s clash and sticking with the basics.”

Torquay and Barwon Heads form the second half of the finals week one schedule with the coastal rivals squaring off in the elimination final on Sunday, August 20.

Games start at 2.25pm and 2.30pm respectively.