By Henry Milic
The South Adelaide Netball Club have made history, booking their place in their first ever Premier League Grand Final this Friday night.
After a win over Garville in the Preliminary Final of Netball SA’s Hospital Research Foundation Group Premier League competition, South will face Contax Netball Club in an epic clash.
As Minor Premiers, South bounced back from their Major Semi-Final defeat to Contax when they beat Garville by 18 goals, 73-55, in the Prelim.
In her first year as Head Coach of South Adelaide, Jackie Blyth said her side is primed and ready for the big dance.
“I have been so pleased with our girls this year, they always bounce back, and they seem to want it and are willing to put everything into winning it,” Blyth said.
“We would love nothing more than to finish out the season as premiers, but we are concentrating on this Friday first.
“It’s the first time South Adelaide has ever contested a Grand Final in the Premier League, so that is really exciting.”
Only two weeks ago, South went down to Contax in the Major Semi-Final by 13 goals, a result that Blyth said they are ready to rectify.
“We were very disappointed by our performance in the first Semi-Final but then we bounced back last week,” Blyth said.
“I think we went into that Semi-Final with the wrong mindset, and that didn’t help us.
“We have tweaked a few things, and there will be game plans in place, but for me, it’s who can perform best on the night.
“Contax is there for a reason, and they are such a strong club. They have great players and great depth.”
This Friday will mark the first time in the club’s long history that they will compete in a Grand Final, whereas Contax will be looking to go back-to-back.
Blyth said her team’s long-term connections would work in their favour come Friday night.
“They have got more experience playing Finals compared to our girls but at the end of the day it will be settled on Friday night,” Blyth said.
“We don’t have girls missing because of State, or Training Partners or Futures commitments, so I think that has been a bonus for us.
“I have probably only two girls on my team who have ever made a state team, so that is a plus because they are at every training, and they don’t go away and don’t miss anything.”
The Grand Final will occur this Friday Night at Netball SA Stadium, with Centre Pass at 8:40pm. The match will also be streamed live via KommunityTV.
