Grand Final sets the stage for Ammos, Grubbers rematch

A REMATCH of last year’s Bellarine Netball League Grand Final is set to take place at Grinter Reserve tomorrow (Saturday, September 9) at 3.30pm, with both Geelong Amateur and Ocean Grove hoping to make the sequel just as good as the original.

Both clubs added new, but familiar, coaches to their A Grade side in 2023 with Grubbers legend Candice Parker and Ammos’ clubwoman Melanie Savage assuming the roles and leading their respective sides to top two finishes.

 

 

Geelong Amateur’s 17-1 record this season may suggest it has been a smooth campaign, but Savage said the journey to this weekend had its challenges, which made her squad even more excited to compete for back-to-back flags.

“Internally we know the challenges we have faced with injuries throughout the season, we were without some key members of our line-up in the middle potions of the season, names like Ash Creasey, Romy Harwood [and] Keisha Guilmartin.

 

 

“But we’ve had a massive strength in our B Grade girls as well, and we really do function as a squad of 21 players.

“We’ve been consistently going to our B Grade crew asking them to step up in the absence of some of the key figures, but our depth is something we give a massive credit to.

“We will put our best 10 on the court come this Saturday, we will be hard to beat, but Ocean Grove has shown they have such an even team with an equal amount of depth, so anything can happen. We’re excited; bring it on.”

Grubbers co-coach Parker, who shares the role alongside goaler Rebecca O’Neill, will have to affect this Saturday’s decider from the sidelines, unlike last year’s Grand Final as a player.

 

 

“It’s exciting for the group, getting into a second Grand Final is huge for us, and hopefully we’ve learnt from last year,” Parker said.

“We’ve had change to our line-up last year, which always helps with bringing in some new faces.

 

 

“It’s always a tight tussle for us at the goal-end with Bec and Keisha, they match up really well on each other.

“We’ve got Georgia Berry down the other end in goalkeeper against Ruby [Watson], the dominant shooter in the league, so those will be really important matchups for both sides.”

 

 

Respective skippers Ash Creasey and Emily Moroney are both eager to see a big crowd of supporters throughout the day.

“It feels like it wasn’t that long ago since we were in this position competing for a Grand Final,” Creasey said.

 

 

Moroney said it had been a blast to have Parker and O’Neill step into the coaching role this season.

“They have both been around the club for a few years now, so we all know how they operate. It’s been a pleasure to learn under both of them this season.”

Tale of the Tape:

Ocean Grove (51) defeated by Geelong Amateur (77) – Round 4

Geelong Amateur (57) defeated by Ocean Grove (59) – Round 15

Geelong Amateur (61) defeated Ocean Grove (57) – Second Qualifying Final