Ella Gomez has a new-found appreciation for the Farah Palmer Cup Championship in her fifth season for the Otago Spirit.
"I’ve absolutely loved it," Gomez said.
"I feel like the culture this year has been unreal and as we’ve been building into semis, and finals, there’s been a real buzz around the group.
"We’ve got a whole lot of new young talent in the team and we’ve really built a foundation on just having fun at trainings and that’s really paid off."
Gomez has been one of the hardworking forwards among the Spirit this season — who meet North Harbour in the semifinal this afternoon — having moved from lock to blindside.
The 21-year-old first pulled on the boots at 4 and played for the Dunedin Sharks as she came through the ranks.
After securing a job as a new graduate radiographer in Invercargill this year, Gomez joined Big River Country, making the trip with Spirit team-mate Isla Pringle to play for the Balclutha club team.
"Just the support from the club and community was awesome.
"Super special team. I felt super lucky to be a part of it this year."
She moved back to Dunedin midway through the season, and now works as a radiographer at Mercy Hospital.
But making the long road trips during the club season gave her more appreciation for the large crew of "country" players, who travelled from outside of Dunedin to play for the Spirit.
They have blended nicely this year to go through the Championship round robin unbeaten after five rounds.
They host North Harbour — who they beat 34-33 in the opening game — in the semifinal at Forsyth Barr Stadium this afternoon.
North Harbour finished the regular season in fourth place with two wins against Taranaki (36-12) and Tasman (42-22), but have not beaten any the top three teams.
But the Spirit will not be taking them lightly.
"I think we need to keep building. We can’t drop from here.
"We’ve had a good Tuesday and Thursday training and I just think we need to get up for the game."
Georgia Cormick will start at halfback, pushing Abigail Paton out to first five.
Hannah Norris also returns on the right wing and Te Atawhai Campbell will come off the bench.
Midfielder Cheyenne Cunningham, who returned from injury last week, will earn her 50th cap off the bench.
Northland Kauri host the Wellington Pride in the other semifinal.
Farah Palmer Cup
Forsyth Barr Stadium, 1.20pm
Otago Spirit: Olivia Fowler, Hannah Norris, Charlotte Va’afusuaga, Naomi Sopoaga, Jamie Church, Abigail Paton, Georgia Cormick, Greer Muir, Sarah Jones, Ella Gomez, Kayley Johnson, Leila Hill, Eilis Doyle, Tegan Hollows, Isla Pringle. Reserves: Hannah Lithgow, Rebecca Wairau, Rawinia Ngamoki-Moana, Lucy Cahill, Rikki Fitzgerald, Madison Flutey, Te Atawhai Campbell, Cheyenne Cunningham.
North Harbour: Ellie Harrison, Ava-Lee Jericevich, Maia Gorst, Holly Williams, Georgia Brierfly, Ella Henderson, Hailey Beale, Armani Lam, Mari-Lyn Connelly, Madisson Mata’afa, Lottie Collis, Margarey Uluiqalau-Wye, Ciara O’Connor, Oceane Donelly, Manutala’aho Huni-Po’ese. Reserves: Katelyn Hilton, Rialani Onesemo-Tuilaepa, Trinity Rika, Danielle Hilton, Aaliyah Nelson, Casey Richardson-Mould, Janelle Kara, Ursola Eteru-Fuaileeau.
