PORT Fairy might be playing its first grand final in 16 years, but that doesn’t mean it is bereft of experience from netball’s greatest stage.
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The Seagulls have compiled a strong, versatile list this season, with a few recruits bringing recent Hampden finals experience with them.
Former Hamilton Kangaroos pair Ally Feely and Renae Taylor were there two years ago when their side lost a nail-biter to Koroit by one goal in overtime.
They get the chance to try again when the Seagulls take on Camperdown in the 2016 decider on Saturday.
Feely said Port Fairy had embraced those players who joined the Gardens Oval club this season, which played its part in the team taking off so well under first-year Seagulls coach Megan Titmus.
“They’ve really welcomed me and it’s a really good club,” she said.
“We haven’t played together before (this season), it was always going to be hard, but we had potential.”
The 24-year-old started her career in goals at South West club Coleraine, but a surplus of shooters when she crossed to Hamilton Kangaroos saw her move to the midcourt.
She said she has enjoyed the change in position and now plays predominantly through centre and sometimes wing defence for the Seagulls.
Feely said the side had a good mix of youth and experience, with the likes of seasoned-campaigners Nicole Dwyer and Carley Thomas there to guide the way.