Fierce rivalry to continue in Mudgee division one grand final

This weekend’s division one netball grand final is shaping up to be one of the best games of the 2015 season.

Allstars T2 and Starlets Paragon have developed a rivalry over the past three seasons that is second to none.

Starlets have lost their past two grand finals to T2, but have had the edge on their more fancied opponents so far this year despite going down to them in the first week of finals.

Their captain Jen O’Brien said the side are ready to step up and go one better on Saturday afternoon.

“We’re very excited to play them once again,” she said.

“We can go one better this year, anything can happen on grand final day.

“We have our full side back after being down a goal shooter the last time we played them.

“We’re going in with confidence but it’s going to be really tough, they’ve beaten us the last two years.

“Our main objective will be to keep out their shooters Payden Lawson and Brooke Partridge.

“We have to play our game which is all about playing a slower game up the court and keeping our composure.”

Allstars have been the benchmark of Mudgee Netball over the past three seasons.

With so much height, coupled with their skillful mid-court players, it’s no wonder the side are going for their third premiership in a row.

Captain Payden Lawson said the side is ready to continue their domination of Mudgee netball on Saturday afternoon.

“We are prepared going in for this weekend’s grand final against Starlets,” she said.

“We have a full team except our defensive player Shelly Wolthers who has been injured most of the season.

“Key defensive players Larissa Wilson and Teaghan Fraser will need to be strong in the circle to shut down their attack.”

The Allstars are a very tall team, but this can only be utilised if their mid-court is firing.

The reigning champions have added plenty of young talent in this area of the court in 2015.

The likes of Macy Morley, Zoe Da Roza and Grace Frost have slotted into first division with ease and will be extremely important in the grand final.

O’Brien said her side know that if they’re going to beat T2, they will have to play their own style of netball.

“We’ll attack with our running game and short passing which will hopefully shut down Payden Lawson who is their driving force,” she said.

“Tara Steinbeck who is our goal keeper is the women for the job, they’ve had a really good tussle all year.”

According to Lawson, the deciding factor during Saturday’s match is a fairly simple one.

“Saturday’s game will come down to ball possession, whoever has the most will win the game.”

Start time: 2.15pm - Court 1, Glen Willow.