HERE's some advice for Hampden league teams playing off in next weekend's grand final: don't count your chickens before they've hatched.
The advice comes after the rumour mill went crazy on Saturday at the Warrnambool and District league grand final.
Word spread - and continued to spread during the week - that a team got one step ahead of itself by adventurously printing its premiership T-shirts before the grand final, which it ended up losing.
I have it on good authority that no such thing happened but teams from both the Warrnambool and District and Hampden leagues have been known to do it in the past.
For those that do, I wonder what they do with the meaningless - and not to mention foolish - clothing if they lose?
HARD work does pay off, just ask East Warrnambool.
Under the guidance of Katie Burt, the A grade Bombers have stuck to a rigorous training schedule this season, which even included morning sessions in the finals series.
Their 11-goal victory on Saturday could not have tasted any sweeter, particularly after ending Merrivale's hunt for a three-peat.
Sadly for some seasoned Tigers, the chance to achieve the feat won't come around again.
I'm sure Old Collegians players involved in the hat-trick of premierships from 2004 to 2006 will secretly be pleased their record will remain for at least another couple of years.
HAMPDEN league's afternoon of afternoons is on Sunday, but there is no obvious favourite to take out the senior best and fairest netball award.
Despite her team winning just one match this season, Port Fairy coach Nicole Dwyer is a smokey after the Seagulls were competitive in a handful of games.
Terang Mortlake shooter Hayley Plozza has had a consistent and accurate season and should poll well while North Warrnambool Eagles' young guns Laura Blackburn and Maddison Smedts have also been prominent.
Koroit's Carley Thomas has been able to have an impact at both ends of the court.
Anyone who believes they could confidently pick the winner must be psychic - that's how unpredictable the count is.
INTERESTING to see the text messages into The Standard this week regarding Koroit calling on a 17 and under player to step up to seniors in tomorrow's preliminary final.
It will mean she misses her junior match, which parents and supporters are disgruntled by as it will lessen the Saints' chances to progress to the grand final.
It's unfortunate for her 17 and under teammates but ultimately, she should be playing netball at the highest level possible, which is obviously in the seniors.
Hopefully she gets a run in the top grade and is better for the experience of hitting the court in a senior Hampden league final.
THE rush for parks on the fence at Gardens Oval apparently led to some early arrivals for the HFNL second semi-final last Saturday. Kate Foster was able to dodge the football crush in search of the best park at the netball courts.
The Koroit coach had spent four days last week in hospital and was under strict medical advice not to leave the car.
With experienced players Stacey O'Sullivan and Kate Dobson sharing the coaching duties, Foster still had a front-row seat.
However, what she witnessed probably didn't improve her outlook as Kate Sewell (foot) and Sarah Hearn (ankle) were injured during a 43-32 loss to Warrnambool.
We wonder if Kate was tempted to lean on the car horn when her team scored a goal.
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