FOUR will become two at the weekend, as the first round of Horsham District netball finals get underway.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In two elimination finals, Harrow-Balmoral face Kalkee on Saturday, while Swifts take on Edenhope-Apsley on Sunday.
Harrow-Balmoral coach Ebonie Salter said excitement always rises at this time of the season. Salter hoped her side's finals experience would hold them in good stead against Kalkee.
"We try to really enjoy it, and look forward to being a part of it," Salter said.
"We've been pretty lucky in our group. We've all played finals before and we all really enjoy the extra pressure and focus.
"We're expecting a really close contest against Kalkee. We match up against each other quite well, so it's always an interesting game."
A match-up between Salter - a three-time league best and fairest - and Kalkee star Jenna Bywaters will be a particularly intriguing contest.
"Jenna is a really good netballler, a really clean player and someone who is hard to beat," Salter said.
"I enjoy playing on her, even though sometimes she does get the best of me. I'm expecting her to be really on her game."
Kalkee coach Jaymi O'Connor said anticipation was high around the club.
"We've got all of our netball teams in finals, so as a club we're really excited. It's been a successful season so far," she said.
O'Connor said the Southern Roos would provide stern competition.
"We have had some really close games against them across the last couple of years, so we know we can match it with them," she said.
"We'll certainly go in as underdogs, but that's alright. We'll just try to play our best."
Edenhope-Apsley meanwhile are trying to recover from some less than ideal preparation, after copping four injuries and forfeiting their match against Laharum last weekend.
Co-coach Ellie Thomas - who suffered a concussion in the match - said she and fellow coach Sarah Domaschenz should be ready to go on Sunday.
"I think we'll be okay, but we've also got a fairly versatile team," Thomas said.
"We've got girls that can play in different positions ... so we should be able to cover anyone missing."
Thomas said finals fever had certainly swept through the club.
"Especially because we've got 17s, C, B and A Grade playing on the same day, we're hoping we have some really loud support there on Sunday," she said. "Everyone is pretty excited."
Swifts coach Courtney Morrow can take extra confidence into the match-up, having beaten Edenhope-Apsley in their one and only encounter this season.
"We can use the past to learn and develop but everything changes when we get into finals," Morrow said.
"The first quarter will always be a tough one with nerves, and Sunday will be a tough match up.
"We'll just stick to our game plan and keep it simple."
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox twice weekly from the Wimmera Mail-Times. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Wimmera, sign up below.