Narrikup face tough prelim against premiers

Narrikup 1 will be chasing a return to grand final day when they face reigning premiers Magpies 1 in Saturday’s Albany Netball Association A1 preliminary final.

It has been five seasons since Narrikup last featured in an A1 decider and they will need to knock off Magpies to get another crack at minor premiers Royals Saints 1.

Royals Saints won directly through to the grand final, beating Narrikup by six goals in last Saturday’s second semifinal.

Narrikup’s last premiership triumph was back in 2012-13 when they won two successive grand finals.

Coach Lisa O’Farrell said her side will take plenty of confidence from their hard-fought encounter with Royals Saints.

“We had a really good second half last week,” O’Farrell said.

“The girls dug deep, at one stage in the third quarter it got up to 14-15 goals but we turned things around a bit and it was the closest we’ve got to them this year.

“When we last played Magpies we were missing two key players and we won but we are playing last year’s premiers.

“Britt (Finigan) has a lot do with how they go and Rebecca Goodliffe gives them a lot of drive so it’s how we manage that.”

Doubts surround the fitness of key Narrikup shooter Heidi Sandison, who will be tested out in the warm-up according to O’Farrell.

Narrikup won the most recent encounter between the two sides, 55-40, and in their other clash back in round 6 Magpies won 45-40.

The preliminary final is set down for 1.30pm on Saturday.