Despite the imminent task of facing off against 2015 champions North Ballarat City, it is East Point who will take the mental edge into Saturday’s Ballarat Football Netball League A-grade grand final.
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Any doubts which remained about East Point’s ability to go all the way in the A-league competition have almost certainly been swept aside by the Kangaroos clinical finals performances over the past three weeks.
After falling short of a grand final berth in the past two seasons, the 2016 incarnation of the Roos have shown composure in their two finals fixtures to progress directly into the decider.
East Point registered an impressive 18-7 goal second quarter following a grueling first term against a fired-up Lake Wendouree side in the semi-final to book its place on Saturday.
In her first year at the helm of East Point, coach Sascha Veldhuis said she was particularly impressed with the way her charges had responded to challenges throughout the finals series.
“I was really happy with the way they bounced back against Lakers, particularly given they came out so strongly,” Veldhuis said.
“I thought when we were really pushed in that first quarter, for the girls to really come out and explode in the second was a real indication of how much we have grown as a team.”
Despite heading in as the reigning premiers, the girls from North Ballarat City will have to contend with the unfamiliar title of underdogs when they take to the court on Saturday.
After finishing second on the table, City was forced to confront the ferocious Roos in the first week of the finals.
The discipline of East Point defensive duo Kate McLeod and Marcelle Geljon alongside the cool, clinical shooting of Emma Farrell would prove too strong for City on the day, forcing the champions to go the long way.
The experienced outfit proceeded to see off Ballarat in a semi-final, before taking charge against the dangerous Lake Wendouree side in order to muscle their way into the final fixture of the year.
However for City coach Annie McCartin, the extra court time in the lead-up to Saturday afternoon’s clash at the Eastern Oval has been more blessing than curse.
While the side has been strengthened by the return of Emily Pellegrino to wing defence, McCartin said the additional hit-out had given the starting seven time to gel.
“The final against East Point was the first time we had our normal side back together since round five, so we’re quite excited about how we’re sitting heading into the granny.”
