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All-new Blues in same top form

08 Sep, 2010 05:00 AM
A new coach, new players and new dresses were all part of Warrnambool's fresh approach to netball this year.

The one thing which remained constant was the reigning premier's strength in the top order of the A grade competition.

Once again, the Blues are on track for a grand final berth.

However, fellow revamped side Koroit is also searching for a spot in the season showdown against Camperdown.

While this Saturday's preliminary final will be decided on the Saints' home turf, one Blue will be just as familiar with the venue.

After years of watching the dominant Blues from afar, Sarah Hearn will line up in the navy A-line uniform against her former Koroit teammates this weekend.

"Warrnambool has been successful for a number of years," she said.

"I've been hanging around the club for four years and have been friends with the girls outside of netball, so it's nice to play with them now."

The Blues finished the home-and-away season with four losses, two of which were against the Saints.

However, they were able to turn the tables in the qualifying final, pipping Koroit by four goals.

Hearn conceded her group had taken some time to peak.

"With new players and a new coach it took a while to work each other out," she said.

"But the team has started to gel at the right end of the season.

"We had a really strong performance in the first final which gives us a lot of confidence."

Despite having played in the red, black and white dress for three years, Hearn said she was yet to be quizzed on the Saints' game plans.

"(My teammates) haven't asked me anything," she said.

"Everybody knows each other, both teams have been playing each other for years.

"There are no secrets.

Warrnambool lost its first chance at a spot in the grand final when it stumbled against the Camperdown on the weekend.

While there was a lot to be learnt from the match, Hearn said little could be applied to this weekend's clash.

She congratulated the Magpies on their direct flight to the big stage.

"We can't compare Camperdown to Koroit, it's completely different match-ups" she said.

"(The Magpies) have had a pretty good year, everybody loves an underdog.

"Even though they have been the favourite this year, they haven't been this successful for a while.

"I'm sure they have a lot of supporters happy they have come this far."

Meanwhile , Hearn is likely to confront Saints defender Stacey O'Sullivan or Sally Brown this weekend.

The 22-year-old said it would be hard to stop the dynamic combination of midcourter Kate Dobson, Kate Foster and O'Sullivan.

"We have to look at what worked and what didn't work (in the qualifying final)," she said.

"But we won, so it must have worked OK."

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Date: Newest first | Oldest first
watching two finals now, i cannot believe how much a certain hampden player carries on after umpiring decisions. what a terrible attitude.
Posted by spectator, 8/09/2010 8:56:35 PM, on The Warrnambool Standard

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Warrnambool goal shooter Sarah Hearn takes aim against her former Koroit teammate Stacey O'Sullivan. The pair will do battle once again on Saturday for a spot in the 2010 Hampden grand final.
Warrnambool goal shooter Sarah Hearn takes aim against her former Koroit teammate Stacey O'Sullivan. The pair will do battle once again on Saturday for a spot in the 2010 Hampden grand final.

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