DENNINGTON coach Josie Bolden says executing the basics of netball will lift her Dogs into an A grade grand final.
And the most basic ingredient of her winning recipe is to make fewer mistakes than the opponent.
"It's going to be the team that makes the least mistakes that will win," she said yesterday.
Eliminating mistakes from the side's game has been the cornerstone of Bolden's coaching philosophy this season.
The mantra helped the Dogs to finish third after the home-and-away season and progress to today's preliminary final against Panmure at Reid Oval.
"At the end of the day you are only human and you do make mistakes," she said.
"But as I've said to the girls throughout the season, everyone does make mistakes.
"But you've got to be tough enough and strong enough to say 'the next one they won't get'.
"Or if you're a goalie and miss a goal, say 'the next one I'm going to get in'."
Dennington lost to Panmure in the qualifying final by nine goals in their finals-opener at Mortlake's D. C. Farran Oval.
But it bounced back well in the first semi-final last weekend with a season-best display at Davidson Oval. Bolden said the Dogs were missing Sue Fleming against Panmure a fortnight ago, but her inclusion this week would be key to reversing the result.
"We didn't realise having one person would make such a difference," she said.
"Even though you're in the mindset we're only down one person, it does make a big difference.
"Especially with the height of Sue."
Bolden said a strong start would also be important if Dennington was to win a shot at minor premier Merrivale in the grand final.
"Every time we've beaten sides above us, the first quarter has been our best quarter," she said.
afawkes@standard.fairfax.com.au