AFTER one of the most intriguing and even BFNL A-grade netball seasons - especially at the top of the ladder - it all comes down to one game.
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Either reigning premiers Sandhurst or Kangaroo Flat will be left to stand alone after the powerhouses do battle at the QEO on Saturday.
For Sandhurst there is the extra lure of a third-straight premiership, something no club has achieved since the Dragons themselves did it in 2005-08.
While Kangaroo Flat will be aiming for their first flag since 2016 and third since 2014.
The QEO courts will be awash with maroon and blue and green and white, with the Dragons and Roos to face off in three of the grand finals to be contested.
The teams will clash first in the day's B-grade encounter, before meeting again in A-reserve and A-grade.
It is perhaps fitting the two proud clubs will contest the day's main event, with Sandhurst and Kangaroo having won 57 of the 98 flags decided since the introduction of Bendigo league netball.
The Dragons, under co-coaches Tamara Gilchrist and Heather Oliver, are aiming to cap a remarkable three seasons in charge with an astonishing third flag.
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Despite again being the competition pacesetters, with a 14-2 minor season record and first through to the grand final, Gilchrist hinted at some relief at getting the opportunity to defend their crown.
"We are pretty confident - we trust in each other and our game and what we bring each week," she said.
"We had an expectation to finish in the top three, we always do, but it's been such an awesome top four or five this year.
"You had to bring it every week, it was anyone's game. We are happy to be there that's for sure."
The Roos, arguably more than any other team, have presented the title-holders with their share of difficulties during their premiership reign, with a win over the Dragons earlier this season and the two teams playing out a few other close matches in the last two years.
Gilchrist knows her side is facing a formidable opponent and with a game plan to match.
"Every club or team has a bit of a nemesis and Kangaroo Flat has given us a bit of trouble over the years," she said.
"They play a very physical game, we like to try to move the ball fairly fast.
"It's just the difference in our game structures and what we do. We will see what happens.
"I feel we are a consistent, even team across the board, we don't rely on one or two superstars to get the job done.
"We have enough faith in each player out there to play their role."
A stellar season for the Dragons included four players polling 10 or more league medal votes, including captain Meg Williams, who finished equal-third with 18, Imogen Sexton (equal-fifth with 15), Heather Oliver (11) and Sophie Shoebridge (10), with goal shooter Rebecca Smith not far behind on nine.
While the chance of a three-peat remains a major talking point in central Victorian netball circles, it is less so among the Dragons playing group.
"It's something we joke about and is nice, but every grand final is special. You don't put any more emphasis on one over another," Gilchrist said.
Kangaroo Flat's return to the grand final stage has come in coach Jayden Cowling's second-year at the A-grade helm.
The grand final berth continues a remarkable rise in the coaching ranks for the Victorian state male netball representative, who led the club's A-reserve team to a flag in 2017 and B-grade in 2016.
A proud Cowling was quick to lay credit for the team's success at the feet of a talented and united paying group.
"I think I'm pretty lucky I have the players I have - they are very coachable and we all enjoy each others' company off the court as well, which really helps," he said.
Granted a second finals shot at Sandhurst, Cowling insisted a 14-point semi-final loss was not a reflection of his side's performances this year.
"We just dropped our bundle a bit and it kept going from there. We are excited to be on the rebound and hopefully put in a polished performance on grand final day," he said.
"We had a pretty big week that week, we lost Kate (Burton) the week before. We spoke about it during training, and how to bounce back from that.
"I thought we were pretty flat in the game, and we had a few new combos out there and weren't settled.
"We're settled now, and have a game under our belt with those combos, so we are just looking forward to the weekend.
"We are excited to have got here, it's definitely one step better than last year finishing in that prelim (final). We definitely have the belief that we can take it out."
Cowling praised Sandhurst as 'an even team' with many on-court threats, not limited to the goaling prowess of goal shooter Smith and star wing attack Williams, who has been best on court in the past two grand final wins.
Despite the unfortunate loss of star defender Kate Burton in the first week of finals, the Roos are confident their defence has become more settled since the semi-final loss, with 17-year-old Ella Wicks impressing in her new position at wing defence.
At the other end of the court, Cowling hopes Julia Clarke can capitalise on a breakout season in which she finished fourth in the league best and fairest with 17 votes.
"She has played A-reserve the last three years - her first season she played a couple of A-grade games and then went back to A-reserve," Cowling said.
"She has really shown over the last two years she wants to be playing A-grade and put her hand up with a big pre-season and hasn't disappointed.
"Especially in these finals series she has shown can shoot the ball from anywhere."
The A-grade grand final starts at 3pm.
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