ANA 2024: Royals “seasoned campaigners” know how to win as they chase A1 three-peat

Royals Saints 1 coach Carly Szczecinski believes her side boasts the perfect blend of youthful flare and experienced campaigners as they chase their fifth Albany Netball Association premiership in eight years. The Saints have been a powerhouse of the competition, winning the last two A1 premierships but will be met by a hungry Bullets 1 side, when they square off on Saturday. Qualifying from third on the ladder, the Saints were forced to go the long road to the decider to face Bullets, who they beat in last year’s grand final, but Szczecinski said her team boasted a strong core group who is ready to go again. “We’ve had to change a few things about our game plan and It’s been a harder road this year with the competition being so strong,” Szczecinski said. “We’ve got some very seasoned campaigners who know how hard you have to work to win. “Our core group has been very steady over the last five to six years. . . but we also have some youth as well, so we’re actually more evenly balanced than we have been in previous years. “Nothing gets delivered to you on a plate, you have to want to win and at the end of the day it’s all about how we can perform on grand final day and how much desire there is to win.” The two sides have been had thrilling encounters this season, Bullets claiming victories in both by a combined margin of five goals but Szczecinski said they won’t draw on the defeats. “We didn’t play to our best ability on those two games so we know we’ve got more to give, but it doesn’t really matter what happened during the regular season,” she said. “We’re not going to focus on the two losses, it’s going to be about trying to play our best on the day. “It’s going to come down on who converts their opportunities and shutting down their goals will be really important.” Defender Narelle Humphries will be key in quelling Bullets’ gun two-pronged shooting attack of Emily Gadean and Jo-anne Scott while A1 runner-up best and fairest Sophie Loveridge will have a strong roll to play through centre court. Szczecinski said her team will be at full strength for the A1 grand final at 3.15pm on Saturday.