Sport
22 August, 2024
Versatility valued high for finals rivals Saints and Kees | HDFNL finals
Edenhope Apsley takes on Kalkee at Pimpinio Recreation Reserve.
The Edenhope Apsley Saints will take on Kalkee at Pimpinio Recreation Reserve on Sunday, August 25, as the two side's vie to extend their HDFNL finals run in 2024.
Kalkee comes into the post-season clash with momentum at its netballers back, the side has won its last three matches, and scored more than 60 goals each time.
Meanwhile, Edenhope Apsley's netballers have endured a tougher run to final, facing three straight losses.
But, A grade coach Paris Hardwick believes Edenhope Apsley swide can take to the finals court with confidence knowing for the first time in several weeks, the Saints have a full squad to choose its line up from.
"This is the first week that we have the luxury of selecting from our full side," Hardwick said.
Hardwick said having the full squad to choose from will give the Saints and added degree of versatility.
"We acknowledge that our results haven't been as we would have liked," she said.
"But, also we understand that we haven't had a full side, we [have been] missing some very key players the last few weeks."
"Given that we do have access to those players for this weekend, that's definitely built momentum for our team."
Looking ahead to her side's opposition on Sunday, August 25, Hardwick expects Kalkee to give the Saints a 'really tough game'.
"They have a very strong team, and hopefully we have some awesome matchups this weekend," she said.
Meanwhile, Kalkee's A grade netball coach Paula Wiedermann said her playing group is 'extremely excited' to play finals.
"[The] girls are physically fit and strong [after] the lead up to finals," she said.
"Each team brings their challenges, however our focus is on our own team game."
Versatility is also key for Kalkee said Wiedermann, giving the side the ability to adapt to the game as it goes.
Elsewhere at Pimpinio, the Natimuk United Rams will be busy, the club is competing in five of the day's seven netball finals.
In the under 17s, the Rams take on Edenhope Apsley, while the club's 13 & under side is set to collide with Laharum, and the C reserve squad meets the Swifts.
And, in both the C grade and 15 & under fixtures, Natimuk United takes on Pimpinio.
Other than the A grade, the only netball fixture not to feature the Rams is B grade, where Harrow Balmoral takes on Noradjuha Quantong.