AFTER 15 rounds of competition the Bathurst A grade netball competition heats up tomorrow when the four finalists begin the play-offs for premiership glory.
In one of the most closely fought regular seasons on record, only All Saints failed to make a genuine impact on the competition while Out Of Touch Magpies were the unlucky side to miss out on the top four.
Those who did make it could barely be separated and will each head into the finals with realistic hopes of taking the next step.
The feature game will see minor premiers and defending title holders Bulldogs square off once more with Shanahan’s Hawks.
It will be the second meeting in as many weeks for the two sides and will also double as a replay of the 2006 grand final when Hawks were playing under the City Colts banner.
On that occasion a third quarter blitz got Bulldogs over the line.
A seasoned grand finalist, Hawks captain-coach Kristin Rouland has had an unfortunate run of eight straight losses in deciders but she will be happy for the time being to simply earn a spot in the big one.
“Obviously the plan is to get straight through to the grand final. I think in the excitement of the game I said last week that our match was a preview for the grand final - I was actually talking about the major semi-final,” she said with a laugh ahead of tomorrow’s showdown.
“We both played very well last week but this time we will look to try and pressure Bulldogs more and work the ball though the court quickly with close passes.
“The difference was probably Jodie Ryan last week who stepped into the top grade side for Bulldogs and she held [goal shooter] Abby Clydesdale very well but I don’t think she will be there this week.”
Rouland said that the 48-46 loss last Saturday was not particularly worrying as both teams had their sot essentially sewn up – bragging rights and a minor premiership were the only particular motivation.
“It was more of an opportunity to try a few things and see where both teams are at,” she said.
“I think if we can keep getting a lot of turnovers in defence and scoring from that we will be in a pretty good position.
“Having a second chance makes things a bit easier knowing that we won’t be knocked out if we lose. It was the goal all along to get one of those top two spots and get a second chance.”
Prior to last week’s thriller, Bulldogs won the first encounter between the two sides 33-23, while Hawks won the second 47-38.
Their clash will get under way from 2.30pm.
In the minor semi-final – which a few weeks ago looked like it may be the major semi – 2007 grand finallists CSU will take on Kathy Keech’s Collegians side.
Like the top two sides, third-placed Collegians and fourth-placed CSU also met last Saturday in a drawn match which points towards another tight one tomorrow.
CSU had looked almost unstoppable but have been winless over the past month while Collegians have been arguably the most consistent side all season.
CSU and Collegians do battle at 1pm.
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