HAMILTON Night Netball Association coach Nat O’Dea says her side is ready to test itself in the Western Regional State League finals tonight.
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The team only just scraped into the finals on percentage and tonight faces competition powerhouse Hampden White.
The last time the two sides were due to play, Hamilton was forced to forfeit the match.
“I haven’t really even seen them play. I watched for five minutes last week,” O’Dea said.
“We didn’t get to play them in round four. We had to forfeit because we had injuries and players unavailable. It was a bad week for us.”
Hamilton had two wins and five losses from the seven-round competition and just snuck into fourth place ahead of Warrnambool and District league, which finished fifth, based on its superior percentage.
O’Dea said that at the start of the competition, she was hopeful the side could play finals.
“Our first couple of weeks weren’t fantastic, but we managed to find a bit of form in the last few weeks,” she said.
“After those (first) two games we knew we had to step up. The girls have come together and have hit some good form.”
Instrumental to Hamilton’s success is goal shooter Kelsey Lewis, who has been making plays that have even been surprising O’Dea.
O’Dea said her side was excited heading into tonight’s match, but didn’t know how it would go.
“They (Hampden White) have been the dominant team all competition,” she said.
“They’ve won most of their games by 10 goals or more, but we are keen to test ourselves against them.
“I’m expecting them to be really slick. They are an experienced side. They finished on top of the ladder for a reason.”
The game begins at 7pm at Warrnambool Stadium.
In the other semi-final tonight, Hampden Green will take on open-grade newcomer Warrnambool City at 8.30pm.
Hampden Green finished the competition in second place on the ladder, with six wins and one loss. Warrnambool City had three wins and four losses to finish third.
In the 17 and under finals, Warrnambool City will play Hampden White at 7pm and Camperdown Night takes on Hampden Green at 8.30pm.