THEY have taken different paths to the grand final stage, but Sandhurst and Golden Square are preparing to leave no stone unturned in their quest for 17-and-under netball premiership glory.
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The Dragons are chasing a remarkable third premiership in a row, while for the Bulldogs, a grand final win would be their first at the junior level since 2007.
Sandhurst enters the match as favourites on the back of 10-straight victories, including a convincing 43-20 qualifying win over the Bulldogs.
Dragons coach Rose Gallagher, who led the team in last season's grand final win against Gisborne, said her players had enjoyed the build-up to grand final day, after having the pressure lifted following a semi-final win over Gisborne.
She is expecting nothing but the most determined of challenges from a quality Bulldogs, who beat the Dragons 52-41 earlier in the season at the QEO.
"They played very well that game and took us by surprise - their defensive pressure was awesome and our girls just didn't know how to handle it," she said.
"The (qualifying final) win against Golden Square was impressive, but the grand final is anyone's. It comes down to how the girls cope with pressure and how they cope adjusting to umpires, and weather conditions. There are lots of factors.
"Grand final day is definitely a different ball game."
In a rarity for the Dragons, they will have a full complement of 10 players available on Saturday, including their dual-sports code star Piper Dunlop.
A supremely-talented line-up also boast the league's joint best and fairest winner Tess Keating and a host of players from last season's premiership team, including gun midcourter Meg McCarthy and Sahara Rodda.
Gallagher rated three-straight grand final appearances as a remarkable achievement for the club, particularly with changing combinations.
"Keeping and sustaining that talent and strength throughout the three years, it's a credit to the development program," she said.
"We'll lose five after Saturday, which is a big change."
Sandhurst has dominated the 17-and-under division since its inception, including a run of five-straight flags from 2008-12.
Despite being the underdogs, Golden Square coach Melinda Keighran says her side goes into the contest with high hopes, knowing little separated the top three teams, including Gisborne, all season.
"When you look at the girls who will be out there, there's some great players," she said.
"There are girls who have played inter-league from Sandhurst and Golden Square, you have Tess Keating, who's won the medal, and some girls who have had a run at A-grade.
"Both teams are very spirited and have got some very gutsy and determined players, so it will come down to whoever can put it together on the day."
Keighran said her side could not have been more courageous than in last week's one-goal preliminary final win against minor premiers Gisborne and hoped to carry that momentum into the grand final.
"We are very strong across the court and we don't rely on any one person," she said.
"And they are an incredible bunch of girls on and off the court.
"If they all pull together the way they have the last two weeks, we give ourselves every chance."
The Bulldogs are led by their co-captains and inter-league stars Ashlee O'Shea and Kayla Ashcroft.
Abbey Clohesy and Abbey Grindal also featured at inter-league level this season.
The 17-and-under game starts at noon.
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