Eagles, Centurions prepare for GF rematch

REIGNING premiers East Geelong and Werribee Centrals will again lock horns in this year’s Geelong & District Netball League Grand Final.

The two clubs will meet again on Court 1 at St Albans Reserve at 3pm this Saturday to decide who will be crowned premiers for this season, a year after the Eagles squeaked home 24-23 in the 2022 decider.

East Geelong’s maiden Grand Final win last year was an emotional day for Eagles captain Stephanie Boyce, but the focus is ahead for her side as they looked to extend their GDNL reign.

“As we have all year, we taking the season one week at a time and it’s important we don’t think about the cup at any stage of the contest, it’s all about the 60 minutes,” Boyce said.

“I think across the whole court, but specifically near the ring, it’s going to be an extremely physical game, and I think the umpires are going to determine how physical it becomes and how clean the game is.

“But if they allow the contest, I think supporters can expect a brutal game and I’m really excited for it.”

The Eagles finished the season with 14 wins and four losses, slotting them in third behind the Centurions heading into finals.

Boyce said the season has had challenges, but it had only galvanised the team leading into a second-straight Grand Final.

“We lost Ashleigh Cushion in October/November last year due to a torn Achilles, so we lost her before the season even started, so that was a huge hit for us given her versatility and her ability to play multiple positions.

“We picked Alicia Kelton and Laura Rowe to bolster our side and they have slotted in beautifully. This squad has really come into its own and we’ll have the best combination ready for Saturday.”

Werribee midcourter Melissa Prismall said a combination of her side’s finals experience and a “home”-like familiarity at St Albans Reserve helped the Centurions to reach another GDNL Grand Final.

“It’s a different kettle of fish when you’re out there on a finals court and the majority of the crowd is not on our side, which we have become quite good at blocking out.

“The on and off court relationships that we have with each other are like no other teams I’ve ever played in; a lot of us are mums and a lot of us are hanging out outside of netball.

“We also have our young girls in the team as well who continue to lead the way, players like Natasha Dimkovski, Caitlin Henricksen, Alual Garang, and we can’t wait to see where they take this program in the future.

“We’re so excited, because some of us are getting a little older, but we really want to go out with a bang, and for many of us we don’t know if this is our last year.”

Amanda O’Malley will be healthy for Saturday’s clash. O’Malley has been nursing a back injury in recent weeks.