MAIDEN Gully YCW will get the hardened preparation its craves ahead of a third-straight finals campaign when it clashes with Bears Lagoon-Serpentine on Saturday.
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The Eagles have been on a roll in recent weeks, notching up an average of 87.5 goals in consecutive wins against Pyramid Hill and Inglewood.
They can expect a tougher assignment against a Bears Lagoon-Serpentine combination, which has made considerable gains in 2019 and will be eager to prove itself as the best team outside the finals mix by finishing in sixth position.
The margin between the two sides last time was 24 goals the Eagles' way, which will no doubt give the Bears further incentive to end the season on a strong note.
Maiden Gully YCW netball operations manager and A-grade midcourter Christie Griffiths expects the Bears to be keen to prove a point in their final hit-out for 2019.
"They have really improved this year and they have some really nice players," she said.
"I think the competition has been great this year, even for the sides who have missed out on finals.
"They really push you and not one game has been an easy game."
The Eagles have been well served in recent wins by their dynamic goaling tandem of Ally Symons and Sidney Niemann, and boast plenty of midcourt experience through Griffiths and star wing attack Leisa Barry.
Griffiths is confident the Eagles have worked themselves into good enough form to mount a serious finals campaign.
Maiden Gully YCW holds a win this season over its certain elimination final rival Calivil United (by one goal in round five) and has come close in losses against fellow finalists Bridgewater (three goals), Mitiamo (five goals) and Newbridge (two goals).
"We were a pretty new combination at the start of the year, so we have taken until the second half of the year to get going," Griffiths said.
"We probably should have beaten Bridgewater (a three-goal loss) if we had been able to hold that last quarter lead, and we've been pushing all the teams - Mitiamo as well.
"We know we can do it, we just need to execute it on the day."
Meanwhile, the chances of any of the league's bottom four sides picking up a final win look tested, with seventh-placed Marong clashing with a Mitiamo team fresh from inflicting Bridgewater's first defeat of the season last week; Inglewood (eighth) playing host to Calivil United (fourth); and Pyramid Hill (ninth) up against Newbridge (third).
Bridgewater has the bye and will not return to action until semi-finals weekend, after finishing the season on top.
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