Oakdale Netball Club will be striving for their first Reserves title since 2014 when they take on Contax Netball Club in The Hospital Research Foundation Group Premier League Reserves division this Saturday night.
A win would cap off an extremely successful season driven by a whole squad approach.
Oakdale finished second on the ladder this season and won their way straight through to the big dance after a clinical semi-final performance against minor premiers Matrics Netball Club two weeks ago.
Club President, Bronwyn Thain, said earning an opportunity to play in the final reflects the culture of the club.
“The unity of the whole squad is what has made it a great season,” she said.
“We are a really united group and the whole squad, including the League division athletes, have done a really good job in being connected and believing in each other.”
Leading the charge for the Diamonds will be young shooter Kayla Howes who has had a stellar year, topping the division in both goal scored and goal assists.
Across 15 games she recorded 592 goals - 192 more than the second-best scorer - and 705 assists - 194 ahead of the next player.
“Kayla has owned the GS bib for the whole season,” Ms Thain said.
“She is a real club, team player who loves her team so much and I absolutely feel she is creating her own opportunities.”
Her form will make for an intriguing battle with Contax defender and Adelaide Thunderbirds training partner, Molly Watson, who made her long-awaited return from an ACL injury in Round 12.
It will be a special occasion for the Howes family, with Kayla’s sister Jade also lining up alongside her in the goal circle.
The pair share a special bond on court and have strong chemistry which Oakdale will be hoping gives them an edge.
“The connection between the two girls is pretty amazing,” Ms Thain said.
“They haven’t played in a grand final together at this level, so they are both really excited to share that.”
The side has a strong cohort of nine players who have come through the Oakdale’s junior pathways.
It is a testament to the club’s netball program and ability to attract and retain young players, something they are rightly proud of.
“It is reward for all the development and process we have put into our players through the years,” Ms Thain said.
“I think that is really special and a lot of clubs can’t say that, so we really are a destination club and people are wanting to come here because of the great development we put in.”
Heading into this weekend, the head-to-head scoreline between Oakdale and Contax sits at one-a-piece.
Oakdale will take a lot of confidence from their semi-final performance and Ms Thain hopes the team will replicate their relentless defensive effort which proved decisive in that game.
“Our defensive end was very dominant in the semi, our whole court defensive pressure was amazing and I’d like to see the defensive end stand up again and pin them down,” she said.
“I think the team is ready and it will be about the whole team coming together and working for each other that will get the outcome we want.”
Oakdale will take on Contax from 6:45pm at Netball SA Stadium. Purchase tickets HERE.
The game will also be broadcast live and free via Kayo Freebies. Click HERE to register for Freebies.
