GOLDEN Square 17-and-under captain Kayla Ashcroft says the Bulldogs will look to carry forward the momentum of a thrilling one-goal preliminary final win into Saturday's grand final.
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The Bulldogs won the right to challenge Sandhurst in this season's premiership decider at the QEO, by edging past minor premiers Gisborne last Saturday.
Golden Square had lost both of its previous minor round matches against Gisborne, including a 13-goal defeat in their round 18 contest at Gardiner Reserve.
Ashcroft, who will lead the Bulldogs into battle alongside co-captain Ashlee O'Shea, declared their side ready to seize its grand final moment.
"It's a very exciting week, I'm not sure many of us were expecting to make into a grand final," she said.
"We were the underdogs (last week) and Gisborne was a side that gave us a bit of trouble during the year.
"I honestly had them as the winners this year. It was devastating for them to get knocked out, but at the same time great for us to win and have the comfort of going into a grand final knowing we can beat a strong side."
The Bulldogs will be further buoyed in the knowledge they have beaten the Dragons at least once this season.
Golden Square won the teams' first meeting in June by nine-goals, before Sandhurst rebounded to win the round 16 contest by 14-goals.
Ashcroft said a 23-goal loss to the Dragons in their qualifying final on August 31 had given the Bulldogs all the incentive they needed to make amends on Saturday.
"To be honest, it was probably our worst game for the year, everyone was a bit rattled, whereas this weekend we are really fired up and ready to go," she said.
"Our team is really strong on friendships, we get around each other and back each up, and give each other confidence."
The 17-and-under netballers are the lone team representing Golden Square on grand final day and should be assured of some strong support.
Ashcroft, a third-year player, who will be playing her last game at the junior level, praised the effort of coach Melinda Keighran in leading the side to a grand final.
"She is more than a coach .... she is always there for us girls as a friend and is really supportive," she said.
"We know she just wants the best for all of us girls."
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