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SEPTEMBER is shaping to be an ultra-busy month for Sandhurst midcourter Meg Williams.
It will start with a Victoria Netball League under-19 grand final this Sunday and, hopefully for her, end with another in the Bendigo league premiership decider for the Dragons.
Williams will be one of the keys to a victory this Sunday for her VNL team DC North East Blaze against Boroondara Express at the State Netball and Hockey Centre.
The Blaze will be seeking to avenge a 10 goal loss to the Express in their semi-final encounter a fortnight ago.
Little has separated the two teams all season, with the Blaze emerging with a two goal win in round two and the teams sharing the honours in a 55-apiece draw in round 10.
Williams, who is the Blaze’s captain, said her side would go into the grand final on a high following a dominant 23 goal preliminary final win against Peninsula Waves.
“We knew going into it there was going to be no more second chances and we had to get a good start from the get-go,” she said.
“We did that – we were up by eight or nine goals at quarter time and with that lead we had the confidence to keep it going and take out the game.”
The third-year Blaze under-19 player believed a similar fast start would be crucial against an Express team, which seized plenty of early momentum in their semi-final clash.
“I don’t think we were quite as hungry as they were to get the win – you always have that second chance in the back of your mind, that if you lose you get the chance to play again,” she said.
“But hopefully it will be a different story this time.”
Williams is lining up for her second grand final with the Blaze, who were beaten 46-40 by Geelong Cougars in 2016.
At least two of her team-mates this weekend also played in that game.
Williams, who was best on court in Sandhurst’s 2017 premiership win against Golden Square last September, described her three years in the VNL as ‘amazing’.
“Blaze have just been an amazing club to be a part of – we’ve been so fortunate to have such good coaches,” she said.
“The coaches I have had have been the best in the league; I feel so lucky to have them.
“To be made captain this year has just been an awesome experience.
“That leadership role has really helped me step up and work on another side of my game.”
To be made captain this year has just been an awesome experience. That leadership role has really helped me step up and work on another side of my game.
- Meg Williams
The ace midcourter will have little time to reflect on a VNL premiership should it come her way on Sunday.
She is strongly focused on helping her BFNL club to back-to-back premierships.
The Dragons finished the season as minor premiers and will have a bye in this weekend’s first week of finals as Gisborne and Eaglehawk, and Kangaroo Flat and Golden Square do battle.
In a season which has so far brought 12 wins, one draw and just one loss, Williams was confident the Dragons were well placed to defend their crown.
“It’s been a different season, where we’ve had two games and then might have two weeks off – finding that consistency has been really hard,” she said.
“But we have such a unique team and a team that is so versatile that we are able to adapt to those changes.
“(Sunshine Coast) Lightning in the Suncorp Super Netball went back-to-back, so we’re hoping it’s the year for back-to-backs.”
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