Sport
Gulls hunt A grade flag

by Emma Ballingall
Warragul will head into the A grade grand final against Moe tomorrow full of confidence and ready for redemption.

The Gulls finished the regular season in second place but, in the qualifying final, handed Moe its first defeat.

Having battled it out in last year's grand final, a strong rivalry is building and the Gulls will be keen to reverse the result of last year's decider.
Coach Kim Weller has the side fit and ready to fire, with winners across the court.
League best and fairest Renee Nobelius is key. Starting in goal defence, she will make it tough for the Lions' goalers across the full 60 minutes. Her defensive pressure simply creates turnovers.
Nobelius can swing into centre if required and her drive down the court is first-class. Her mature presence on court gives her teammates that added confidence all the way down the court.
Pairing with Nobelius in the defensive goal circle is goal keeper Ella Rees. She is renowned for her rebounding, vertical leap and hands over pressure. Rees has enjoyed a strong season and her match-up against Moe's recruit Ashlea Mawer is pivotal to the result.
Whilst the Gulls' line-up has been stable for several seasons, one welcome addition this season is Jade Finn.
Finn, who will start in wing defence but can swing into wing attack or centre, is a dynamic midcourter. She has the ability to read the game and neutralise key opponents. Watch her beautiful long passes to bypass the Moe defence.
Running the centre position will be Alex Cole, a long-term member of the Gulls netball club. Cole contests everything, finds circle edge consistently and offers a great release into the goalers. She will run all day.
League MVP Sienna Green is the youngest of the starting line-up. But, her maturity and experience will be vital in wing attack.
Green has the ability to create space and offers quick feeds into the goalers. She will set up the Gulls attack with pace, leap and dare.
Having stepped up from B grade, Naomi Allardyce will start in goal attack. She can also move to wing attack if required.
Spearheading the line-up is shooting sensation Emma Ryde. Using her height to great advantage, Ryde has shot an unbelievable 1357 goals this season, averaging just under 68 goals per game.
Ryde converts when the opportunity presents and her holds are first-class.
Jaime Rollinson will no doubt come onto the court during the contest in either goal attack or wing attack.
She is able to move quickly and easily and her leadership on the court cannot be underestimated.
On the bench will be B graders Lily Sheehan and Mackenzie Minichiello. Lily is a strong wing defence with a never give up attitude. Her closing speed generates turnovers all over the court.
Minichiello is an impact player who can take the goal defence or goal keeper bibs. She can enter a game and create turnovers at crucial moments.
Warragul and Moe have provided entertaining and thrilling games across the season. The qualifying final was a 62-58 result to the Gulls.
Grand finals will be played at Morwell Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
A grade: Warragul v Moe at 3pm.
B grade: Leongatha v Wonthaggi at 1.30pm.
C grade: Morwell v Wonthaggi at 12.15pm.
17 and under: Bairnsdale v Leongatha at 11am.
15 and under: Traralgon v Sale at 9.45am.
13 and under: Sale v Leongatha at 8.30am

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