AFTER a long season, two teams remain in the hunt for the 2021/22 M-League Mixed Premier Division title: Parkville Panthers and Geelong Cougars. The pair will battle it out from 9:20pm tonight to determine the overall winner, with stars on both sides set to provide plenty of exciting netball action.

[1] Parkville Panthers vs. [2] Geelong Cougars – Court 1 @ 9:20pm

Unlike the earlier semi-final, these two sides had a fairly one-sided contest last time they met, with Parkville Panthers running away with a 20-goal victory. The Panthers have not lost all season and have earned the right to be strong favourites heading into the clash, but the Geelong Cougars have more than enough quality to impress if need be, considering both sides were without their star centres in that Round 10 clash. Five players – Riley Richardson, Jake Hederics, Connor Lilly, Guy Keane and Tristan Comans – could be eyeing off two titles in a night should St Therese get up in the earlier Men’s Premier Division decider. In other words, the male players on the Panthers’ side have reached both grand finals.

Richardson will have a massive job on his hands in the Mixed Premier Division Grand Final, already coming off what will no doubt be a tiring contest in the Men’s Premier Division decider, now the centre will have to take on a fresh Mel Bragg who holds the key to the Cougars’ success. The midcourt of the Cougars certainly stands out, with Jake Noonan at wing attack another one who can roll into each of the three spots, whilst Olivia Taylor has been playing some consistent netball at wing defence. She will look to nullify the impact of the impressive Elli Leydin, who has the ability to produce some slick passes, and possesses high court IQ.

In the same way, Casey Adamson – who can move into centre if Richardson needs a rest – will lock horns with Noonan to try and restrict feeds into the Geelong shooting circle. That shooting circle has some serious firepower with Cameron Allum or Brayden Pastore both capable of putting up big numbers at goal shooter. Though having not played for a number of weeks, if Zanna Woods was available, no doubt the Cougars would love to throw her into goal attack, though Georgia Cuthbertson has been more than impressive in that role maintaining the club’s form. If Woods did play, Cuthbertson would go to wing attack and Noonan moved into wing defence.

The Panthers’ defensive goal circle features Hederics and Georgette Paatsch, with the latter also having rolled into wing defence at times this season, with Comans able to rotate on for Hederics, who can also be thrown up the other end of the court to spark something if needed. Keane is another midcourt option who can step into centre in order to mix it up and provide the starters with a break, whilst Richardson can slide back to wing defence and Adamson into the centre bib too, if needed.

In the Geelong Cougars’ defensive group. Sarah Szczykuski and Luke Rawlings have proven to be the consistent pillars there, though Allum has even rotated into goal keeper at some stages. The defensive combination will need to shut down Lilly and Amy Starzer who have been electrifying in terms of shooting this season, though Lilly can also move back to wing attack, and Hederics be slotted into goal shooter if combinations allow. Additionally, Brodie Roberts is someone who would be a Panthers’ starting option, but has also not played in some time.

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS:

Parkville Panthers:

GS: Connor Lilly
GA: Amy Starzer
WA: Elli Leydin
C: Riley Richardson
WD: Casey Adamson
GD: Georgette Paatsch
GK: Jake Hederics

Others: Guy Keane (C), Tristan Comans (GK), Brodie Roberts (GA/GS)

Geelong Cougars:

GS: Cameron Allum
GA: Georgina Cuthbertson
WA: Jake Noonan
C: Mel Bragg
WD: Olivia Taylor
GD: Sarah Szczykuski
GK: Luke Rawlings

Others: Brayden Pastore (GS), Zanna Woods (GA)

PAST RESULTS:

Round 10 | Parkville Panthers (62) defeated Geelong Cougars (42)

FORM:

SUMMARY:

There are so many outsanding head-to-head battles within this contest, starting in the centre, and spreading out to the goal circles. The clash between Richardson and Bragg is must-watch, but so too is Adamson and Noonan, and Hederics and Allum. Both sides have shooting options who have not played in some time, so they could be wildcards, but it is fair to say the Panthers head in as favourites regardless. Despite their last clash being one-sided, it is anticipated Geelong will put up a much better fight in the grand final, so expect another tight contest between the two heavyweights of the Mixed Premier Division.