AN exciting end to season 2019 of NAB League Girls is set to take place on Saturday as minor premiers, Northern Knights take on an unexpected opposition in Calder Cannons following a dominant performance over reigning premiers, Geelong Falcons in the preliminary finals.

Northern Knights v. Calder Cannons

NAB League Girls Grand Final – 25/05/2019
2:00pm
Ikon Park – Carlton

Regardless of the final score, a tough slog by both teams is to be expected when Northern Knights take on Calder Cannons in a battle for premiership glory. Calder Cannons have made a strong case to push the Knights after a phenomenal effort saw the Cannons hand Geelong a 35 point loss, while Northern almost got knocked out of finals contention by Eastern Ranges but held them off to win by a single goal margin. Calder and Northern did not play the each other during the season due to there being only nine rounds, so this match is sure to see some big performances and match-ups across the board.

Northern’s performance this season should be commended, with an exceptional nine wins – including a six-point victory against Eastern Ranges last week – and one draw under their belts to remain undefeated in 2019. Calder’s season may not have the same cleanliness to it, but despite three losses the side continued to push and ultimately were rewarded with a victory over one of the most prolific teams in the competition. Calder’s unexpected dominance sees the club get an opportunity to go for their second premiership since the inaugural NAB League/TAC Cup Girls season, when the side finished top of the ladder with no finals system in place prior to 2018, while Northern will come into this match with a fire in the belly after going down to Geelong last season.

Northern leading disposal winner and captain, Gabby Newton provided great run through the midfield with 19 touches and 10 tackles to lead her side to victory last week, while half-forward and target inside 50, Nell Morris-Dalton stood up when it counted against Eastern last week, finishing with 22 touches and four goals for her best performance of the season. However with competition leading disposal winner, Georgie Prespakis and ball magnet, Georgia Patrikios taking the field in opposition on the weekend, it will be a battle of the mids as both sides look to penetrate inside 50 and create scoring opportunities. With an even spread contributing to the margin for both sides last week, both teams will want to come out firing with precision and accuracy to take an early lead. Getting the ball in should not be an issue given both teams boast strong targets forward, however it will be what players do with the ball that could turn the tides. If Calder put in a full team effort the likes of their match against the Falcons, they could push the Knights all the way and really bring it down to the wire. A number of big names are set to line up in opposition this week, with the likes of Northern’s Alyssa Bannan, Britney Gutknecht and Ellie McKenzie electric with ball in hand, backed up by the strong efforts and leadership of Newton. Calder’s midfield trio of Prespakis, Patrikios and Alana Barba is just as exciting while defensively, the likes of Sarah Sansonetti (Northern) and Felicity Theodore (Calder) are the ones to watch with good awareness and ability to move the ball to advantage under pressure.

TEAMS

NORTHERN KNIGHTS

B: 2. S. Fell, 10. P. Chisholm, 30. M. Plunkett
HB: 9. M. Chaplin, 18. S. Sansonetti, 17. C. Fitzgerald
C: 11. M. Appleby, 23. G. Newton, 14. J. Fitzgerald
HF: 20. C. Linssen, 3. N. Morris-Dalton, 29. T. Pulcino
F: 6. A. Bannan, 36. T. Smart, 21. E. McKenzie
R: 1. J. Nelson, 22. B. Gutknecht, 16. Z. Flanigan
Int: 7. A. Bennett, 8. G. Ceravolo, 26. M. Papachristos, 38. L. Picioane, 31. M. Ramsay, 35. J. Simpson, 34. M. Uwland

In: M. Uwland, M. Ramsay, L. Picioane

CALDER CANNONS

B: 4. K. Lennox, 19. P. Poultney, 2. F. Theodore
HB: 24. K. Delia, 18. T. Gillard, 31. K. Petrevski
C: 38. L. Cocomello, 21. G. Patrikios, 8. Z. Friswell
HF: 22. M. Muller, 5. N. Crowley, 3. E. Yassir
F: 34. Z. Hardiman, 42. T. Crook, 25. A. Magri
R: 17. G. Sampson, 41. G. Prespakis, 11. A. Barba
Int: 40. C. Brown, 1. H. Cooke, 32. T. Fry, 15. M. McLeod, 44. I. McNeill-Wren, 9. M. Styles, 35. I. Young

In: M. Styles, M. McLeod, I. McNeill-Wren

STATISTICS:

Ave Disposals: Georgia Patrikios (CC – 23.1), Georgie Prespakis (CC – 22.9), Gabby Newton (NK – 19.8)
Ave Marks: Georgia Patrikios (CC – 3.3), Gabby Newton (NK – 2.8), Georgie Prespakis (CC – 2.7), Ellie McKenzie (NK – 2.7)
Ave Tackles: Alana Barba (CC – 7.3), Georgie Prespakis (CC – 5.8), Jess Fitzgerald (NK – 5.7)
Ave Hitouts: Georgie Sampson (CC – 15.2), Jaime Nelson (NK – 14.4), Tamsin Crook (CC – 7.1)
Goals: Alyssa Bannan (NK – 13.5), Georgie Prespakis (CC – 13.5), Nell Morris-Dalton (12.7)

2019 RESULTS:

Northern Knights:

R1: defeated Murray Bushrangers by 76 points
R2: drew with Oakleigh Chargers
R3: defeated Western Jets by 25 points
R4: defeated Sandringham Dragons by 21 points
R5: defeated Eastern Ranges by 24 points
R6: defeated Gippsland Power by 45 points
R7: defeated Bendigo Pioneers by 53 points
R8: defeated Geelong Falcons by 36 points
R9: defeated GWV Rebels by 45 points
PF: defeated Eastern Ranges by 6 points

Calder Cannons:

R1: defeated Western Jets by 27 points
R2: defeated GWV Rebels by 58 points
R3: defeated Sandringham Dragons by 23 points
R4: lost to Oakleigh Chargers by 10 points
R5: defeated Murray Bushrangers by 27 points
R6: lost to Eastern Ranges by four points
R7: lost to Geelong Falcons by 14 points
R8: defeated Bendigo Pioneers by 21 points
R9: defeated Gippsland Power by 31 points
PF: defeated Geelong Falcons by 35 points

Northern:

When in front…

QTR: 8-0-1
HT: 9-0-1
3QTR: 9-0-1

When trailing…

QTR: 1-0
HT:
3QTR:

Calder:

When in front…

QTR: 5-1
HT: 5-1
3QTR: 7-0

When trailing…

QTR: 2-2
HT: 2-2
3QTR: 0-3

FUN FACTS:

1. Eastern Ranges’ 7.1 (43) was the highest score a team had kicked against Northern Knights all season, with the last three Knights wins seeing them power to a total score of 22.25 (157) to 1.17 (23) in Rounds 7-9.
2. Neither side has lost when leading at three quarter time, meaning one of those streaks will be broken.
3. Northern Knights have trailed only one at a break – four points against Eastern Ranges at quarter time in Round 5.