KELLY Gowland’s Timboon Demons side is looming as a finals dark horse.
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The fifth-placed Demons became just the second side to lower the colours of reigning premier Dennington on Saturday.
Gowland said confidence was oozing from the Demons’ camp following the victory.
“We had a couple of demoralising losses to Russells Creek and Nirranda, but we’ve really picked ourselves up again,” she said.
“We’ve managed to beat Dennington and South Rovers in the last fortnight and that’s been fantastic for our confidence.
“The elimination final against South Rovers isn’t going to be easy. We’re expecting a tough task.”
Young Timboon defender Emily Jansen Van Beek thrived with a role on champion shooter Katie Burt, restricting the former Dennington coach to 26 goals, while Hayley Plozza was best-on-court for the Demons.
Gowland admitted a “no pressure” approach had worked wonders for her side in recent weeks and would continue leading into the elimination final.
“It’s business as usual for us. I think the more pressure we put on ourselves, the more errors we’re prone to making,” she said.
“We need to stay calm and focused and keep playing the way we have been.
“We played a much better brand of netball against Dennington so it’s about carrying that and hanging onto the momentum.”
She expected Dennington to field a more settled line-up in finals competition after the Dogs experimented with different combinations.