MOUNT Pleasant netball operations manager Anita Wild believes the Blues are growing in belief with each finals win.
The Blues qualified for their first A-grade finals series since 2014 by finishing in fourth position, but have since put together two wins to advance to a preliminary final clash against a rebounding Colbinabbin.
Their latest was a 12-goal semi-final win over Huntly, which reversed a pair of narrow losses to the Hawks during the season.
A showdown against the reigning premiers will be the final of four preliminary final matches on Saturday for the Blues, who have their A-reserve, B-grade and B-reserve teams also fighting for spots in grand finals.
“It’s an exciting time – I wish we could have been White Hills’ shoes though, they already have their four teams through,” Wild said.
“The A-grade with any luck will be a tight contest.
“Watching Colbinabbin last week, they really missed Jess Geary.
“But our team, with the players who have come in with finals experience from Golden Square, we’ve really taken it to every team we could this year.
“With a bit of luck, the girls will get a few early turnovers like they have the last two weeks and really put the pressure on and come out on top.
“I know (coach Belinda Pinner) is really excited for Saturday.”
The Blues are not without solid form against the Grasshoppers, having got within seven goals in round two, on the same day they lost class shooter Megan Baird to a season-ending injury.
In her absence, Melissa Nihill has stepped up to be a strong ally for Sophie O’Shannessy in the goal circle.
The Blues undoubted strength lies in their midcourt, where Pinner and fellow former Golden Square players Clare Hope and Chantal O’Brien will provide the necessary skill and experience to challenge the Grasshoppers.
A surprise-packet Blues A-reserve line-up will shoot for a grand final berth, after overcoming an indifferent start to the season and just scraping into the finals.
They meet North Bendigo, with the winner earning the right to challenge the Demons.
In B-grade, it will be Mount Pleasant against North Bendigo, while in C-grade it’s the Blues versus Colbinabbin.​
