Waratah ready for Jerra joust

Who: Waratah v Jerra Joeys

Where: Queanbeyan Netball Courts

When: Saturday, 3pm

GIVEN Waratah’s history of grand final success, it’s no surprise captain Jenna Spears isn’t feeling the pressure heading into this weekend’s grand final showdown against the Jerra Joeys.

The reigning premiers are once again hot favourites to take out this year’s Queanbeyan Netball Association title having dropped just one game all season.

Spears however, is nothing if not an experienced campaigner and the Queanbeyan representative player said she was far from feeling the nerves in the lead up to the big match.

“I don’t really like to feel the pressure,” she said. “I’m just looking forward to enjoying a good game of netball.”

But while many may have already written off Jerra’s chances, Joeys captain Laura Gow said her side was confident it has what it takes to know Waratah off their lofty perch.

“Waratah has always been a tough team and we will probably go in as underdogs but I do think we have a good chance of coming out on top,” she said.

“Waratah are very well drilled in what they need to do…but we’ll just concentrate on our own game and what we do well.”

Both teams will field fully fit sides for the decider, including Waratah youngster Abby Stein who stepped up from second division into the club’s first grade outfit in recent weeks.

Spears praised the work of the under-17s Queanbeyan representative, saying Stein had been “going really well” since joining the side.

Ominously, this weekend will mark almost the first time Waratah will have fielded a full side all season due to player unavailability.

“We’ve had a lot of players away this season with people travelling and going overseas,” Spears said. “Even in the semi-final last week we still had players away but they’ll all be back this weekend.”

Both Waratah and Jerra moved through to the decider with wins over an unlucky Bungendore side in the semi-finals.

Grand Final team lists.

Waratah:

Abby Stein, Chelsea Marolt, Jenna Spears, Leanne McGrath, Carly Res, Lara Bowyer, Amy Morschel, Lara Cameron and Hayley Bowyer.

Jerra Joeys

: Sharon Kirkwood, Brittney Reynolds, Rhiannon Davies, Georgia Stephinson, Jessie Reynolds, Laura Gow, Mardie Croke, Patrice Murray and Meg Sokic.

Waratah:

Jerra Joeys

Lower grade grand final times.

Division 4:

Bungendore v Sunrise at 1.30pm,

Division 3:

Royals Navy v Sunrise at 1.30pm and

Division 2:

Waratah v Royals at 1.30pm.

Division 4:

Division 3:

Division 2: