After another close and thrilling season, it is finals time! With only four points between first and fourth, this promises to be an exciting finish! Preliminary Final 1: 1st vs 4th Darmstadt Dynamos @WillH_VI (1st) vs. Majorca Islanders @TheTassieHawk (4th) Darmstadt managed to hold onto top spot despite injuries to some key players, while the Islanders come into the finals on a winning streak. Darmstadt's ruck department took a major hit with breakout star Ally Morphett going down to injury, so Gabby Seymour has a big role to play against the in-form Steph Wales. A massive midfield battle looms with the Majorca trio of Anderson, Hatchard and Blackburn facing off against a red-hot Mon Conti, Georgie Prespakis and Britt Bonnici. If Darmstadt has had a weakness this year it's been down back, and the Dynamos will again be relying on Ella Heads to control the backline against the strong Islanders forward line of Morrison and Hooker, though the Islanders will be without Lucy Single this week due to suspension. The Darmstadt forward line has also been in menacing form, with Bonnie Toogood and Chloe Molloy terrorising defences in recent weeks, so Chantal Emonson and Daisy D'Arcy will have their hands full. This game is going to be a cracker. Preliminary Final 2: 2nd vs 3rd Lima Llamas @hoscke118 (2nd) vs. Stuttgart Storm @Jono Steven With just 2% between these two teams, this final promises to be a classic. Lima's exceptional midfield has powered them into the top two, with their starting midfield trio of Garner, Swanson and Bates as intimidating as they come. Stuttgart's season looked in danger when Alyce Parker went down to injury, but mid-season recruit Georgia Nanscawen has filled the vacant midfield spot with aplomb; a lot will fall on her and Ash Riddell to get Stuttgart over the line. Stuttgart however have relied on heavy scoring from forward-midfielder Laura Gardiner to propel their season, so the Llamas' Freo defender duo of Ange Stannett and Emma O'Driscoll will have their work cut out. Despite star defender Nicole Bresnahan still sitting on the sidelines, Stuttgart will be relying on experienced trio Bre Koenen, Lucy McEvoy and Jodie Hicks to control a very well balanced Lima forward line lead by Sophie Conway and Keeley Skepper. Every line has hugely important battles, so keep your eyes on this one, it's sure to go down to the wire! Good luck to all preliminary finalists this week, and (hopefully) see you in the big dance for the massive final round!
Lima Llamas team below. I've been a bit absent but keen for finals. Good luck everyone! DEF: Angelique Stannett, Emma O'Driscoll, Claudia Gunjaca (Ange Foley) MID: Jasmine Garner, Emily Bates, Emma Swanson, Olivia Purcell (Alicia Eva) RUC: Mim Strom (Tahlia Hickie) FOR: Sophie Conway, Gemma Houghton, Keeley Skepper (Rebecca Privitelli) INT: Eliza McNamara, Haneen Zreika (Marianna Anthony) The site seems to have saved the version with McNamara on the bench instead of Anthony. I'd prefer what I've written here but no big deal
The Islanders selection committee have named their side for our preliminary final clash with Darmstadt (@WillH_VI) Please note that this team is subject to change. Def = D'Arcy, Cordner, Emonson (Baskaran oop) Mid = Blackburn, Hatchard, Anderson, Lewis (Veseley) Fwd = Newton, N Morrison, Hooker (Garnett) Ruck = Wales (Good) IC = Lewis, Newman (Rennie) 2nds - Tonon, Vogt Injured/suspended/managed - Gay, Harris, Single
At 3 quarter time Majorca 11/727 leads Darmstadt 8/577 @WillH_VI The ladder leaders have Heads, Bonnici, Molloy and Frederick playing in the early game and will be looking to build a triple digit lead with Amy Smith the last Dynamos player to then take the field against Hatchard and Newman for the Islanders in the 305pm Sunday game.
Unofficial scores have the minor premiers from Darmstadt @WillH_VI prevailing by around 70 points to earn a home Grand Final.
Unofficial scores have Lima defeating Stuttgart 1022-978. A couple of great performances from emergency players on either team in Privitelli (Lima, 74) and Nanscawen (Stuttgart, 88)