The Southern Magpies, gunning for their sixth straight title, come up against a St Hilda’s Collegiate team which defines the phrase Cinderella story.
It has been a remarkable run for the school team, which made use of a strong second half to beat Markham’s College A 58-55 in last week’s semifinal.
That came after a loss of nearly 60 points in its first game of the season.It was not lost on the Magpies, who were beaten by St Hilda’s 68-53 in their previous meeting.
That was in stark contrast to the 61-23 win the Magpies claimed in the second game of the season.
While the Magpies’ preparations had been less than ideal before that loss, coach Abbey McKenzie said St Hilda’s had deserved its win.
Her side had been caught up in playing the school team’s game and ensuring that did not happen again would be key to victory today.
"St Hilda’s ... are quality throughout the court.
"For us, it’s just targeting and sticking to our plan and not getting caught up in theirs.
"And to me it’s a mental thing, playing brainy netball rather than getting caught up in the game and the atmosphere.
"If we can do what we’ve trained to do, I think we’ll be fine."
The team possesses several key players who have played at a high level, notably Southern Steel goal shoot Jennifer O’Connell.
Among those there are many who have played in finals before, although for others it will be a new experience.
However, McKenzie, who took over as head coach of the team this year, said that experience would be a factor for both teams, with St Hilda’s also possessing players who had played in big games.
St Hilda’s coach Lana Morrison said her team was quietly excited, although was trying to stay grounded after last week’s effort.
"We’ve never had a school team in the final, so it is [a big deal].
"And as a school team, yes they may have played in different [representative] teams, but collectively this is their mates and this is their home and it is a big thing."
The team includes two Beko League players in Georgia and Kate Heffernan.
Naturally it was a young team, with two year 11s and three players who are just 16.
Its youngest player, Millie Scully, only turned 16 last month.
That made for a big occasion and to have girls that age playing in the final was something Morrison said was "pretty cool".
She downplayed the previous win over Southern, citing the Magpies missing key players.
However, she said it still provided confidence for her players and felt her team was playing well.
While Southern had dominated Dunedin netball in recent years, it was important not to be intimidated.
"I think it’s that you just have to, from out point of view, think that you can match that and better it.
"And that’s that real mindset, how you warm up, how you take the court, and to not be intimidated. They are just people like we are.
"They might be a little bit taller, or a little bit wider, but they re still just people."
Dunedin club netball final
Edgar Centre, today, 12.30pm
Southern Magpies: Tarryn Dickson, Sophie Erwood, Zoey Flockton, Maddie Hunt, Eden Millan, Penny Mouat, Jennifer O’Connell, Bethany Robertson, Nicky Wallace.
St Hilda’s Collegiate Senior A: Beryn Abbott, Phoebe Aburn, Megan Borst, Georgia Hay, Georgia Heffernan, Kate Heffernan, Mara McCurdy, Mariah Nelson, Millie Scully, Laura Taylor, Mikayla Thorn, Meg Timu.
