SANDHURST might be old hands at grand finals after back-to-back flags in 2017-18, but that hasn't stopped the nerves and excitement from taking hold, according to Dragons skipper Meg Williams.
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Facing the media this week, the star wing attack and dual premiership Dragons player hinted at a certain sameness to the previous two grand final campaigns.
"You'd think by the third year you would have your nerves and excitement down pat, but each year it just gets more exciting and I am just so excited to go out there with the girls on Saturday," Williams said.
It's been a year of change for Williams, who has settled into university life in Melbourne, but has made the trip back each weekend to play with Sandhurst, and to train when she can.
She is relieved, above all else, to get a chance at a third-straight BFNL premiership - most importantly - alongside her mates.
"I thought maybe last year might have been my last year here, moving to Melbourne, but there is something just so special about this club and this team especially that I knew I just couldn't leave," Williams said.
"Definitely it's been hard, but once I get back here and I am quickly reminded why I do this and why I come back.
"That's made it a lot easier."
While there have been changes to living and travel arrangements, there's been no end to the high-calibre performances delivered by Williams, who has been adjudged best on court in both the Dragons' recent premiership wins.
She has been able to add a VNL premiership to her resume this year, after a division one title win with North East Blaze, and finished equal third in this season Betty Thompson Medal best and fairest count, tied on 18 votes with one of her grand final opponents, Kangaroo Flat's Chelsea Sartori.
The Roos will be the Dragons' third grand final opponent during their three-years at the top, after Sandhurst defeated Golden Square in 2017 and Gisborne in 2018.
They will have a few new, albeit not unfamiliar faces, on-board for this one, with Heather Oliver, who missed last season's grand final, and Brianna and Erica Dalrymple-Monro coming into the team this season.
Williams backed her team-mates to be able to extend their premiership streak.
"We have had differences in players in our team from two and three years ago, but we always carry through with the same game plan," she said.
"It doesn't matter who is out on the court, we will always get the job done."
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