Shepparton United will be out complete a rags to riches fairy-tale season when it takes on the undefeated minor premier Kyabram in today’s grand-final.
The beauty for the Demons is all the pressure is on Kyabram to complete the perfect season.
United started the season in fine style, winning its opening six matches before it crashed to Kyabram in round six.
The Demons fell away in the middle part of the season, losing four games in a row to fellow finalists Benalla, Echuca, the Shepparton Swans and Shepparton.
They were able to recover to win five of their remaining six matches to finish third on the ladder.
During the finals, the Demons have been outstanding, staving off a challenge from Echuca in week one, taking it up to Kyabram in the second semi-final to at one stage lead by 10 goals only to lose by that same margin and then fighting their way past arch rival Shepparton to book a spot in the big dance.
Down back Elle Brooks and skipper Kristy Hommes have led the way and their battle with Belinda Lees and Elle Groves will probably go a long way to deciding who wins the silverware. All of Hommes’ experience will be important, especially as both teams look to find their feet early on.
The mid-court battle will be pivotal with Phoebe Wilson, Kara Dawes and the ever-reliable Bree Hanslow expected to go head-to-head with back-to-back league medallist Steph Vick, Holly Butler and Jemma Osborne.
These girls will all be important in feeding the ball into their goals to ensure the shooters can hit the scoreboard.
One of the recruits of the season has been Jess Barnes-Hill.
Barnes-Hill was a star last year, winning the Murray Netball League best and fairest on the way to leading Rumbalara into the grand-final.
She has been outstanding this year and she will leave nothing on the court today.
If she can get support from Sarah Bohn and the pair can keep the best defensive unit in the competition in Lauren Pryde and Ash Mangan honest then the Demons could cause an upset to ensure the silverware stays at the Skene Street end of Deakin Reserve.
Last Modified on 17/10/2017 09:55
