KYENTON will be chasing a rare BFNL netball premiership when it battles the might of Kangaroo Flat in Saturday’s A-reserve grand final.
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The Tigers, who have battled a player shortage for much of the last decade, have won just one premiership in any grade of netball in their time in the BFNL.
That was in 2014 when the Tigers defeated Kangaroo Flat 58-33 in B-grade.
The premiership win came during a relatively successful season for the Tigers.
Their A-grade finished the minor season in third place, while the B-reserve team also qualified for finals.
The Tigers were also A-reserve grand finalists in 2013.
The club had only three teams contest the 2018 season, in A-reserve, B-grade and B-reserve.
Kyneton Football Netball Club president Karen O’Sullivan described the A-reserve netballers as a ‘shining light’ for the club in its 150th anniversary year.
“They have put in a massive year and are well-deserved to be in that grand final spot,” she said.
“They have got a great coach in Dianne Guest-Oakley and quite a strong team.
“Obviously we didn’t field an A-grade team this year, we managed to keep a few of last year’s A-graders, but not the whole team, and with a few of the girls who have come up from B-grade they have really gelled.”
The Tigers won their way into the grand final with last gasp finals wins against Gisborne (one goal) and Sandhurst (three goals).
While the Tigers have lost both matches against the Roos this season, O’Sullivan said the team were not feeling like underdogs.
“I think when you play the top team in any grand final, you go in with all guns blazing,” she said.
“It will be great to have the girls fly the flag for Kyneton – we have had a tough year with the financial situation.
“But that doesn’t seem to have dampened the spirit of the Kyneton faithful, who will be up there in droves on Saturday.”
Goal shooters Michelle Fletcher and Jess Mangan and goal keeper Brooke Mangan shape as keys to the Tigers’ fortunes.
Regardless of the result, O’Sullivan indicated the Tigers expected to be back fielding an A-grade team by next season.
Kangaroo Flat will enter the grand final as favourites after a dominant 15-1 season and an 11 goal win over Sandhurst in its only final.
The Roos, under coach Jayden Cowling, are attempting back-to-back flags following last year’s 18 goal triumph.
They will be lead on-court by captains Bridget Chambers and Ellie Lothian, vice-captain Julia Clarke and league best and fairest runner-up and class goal shooter Annie Spear, who was a standout for the Roos A-grade team in their elimination final win against Golden Square earlier this month.
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