Talented Barking Owls outfit chasing proper grand final glory when they tackle Griffins in women’s decider

Barking Owls will be chasing back-to-back women’s A-grade premierships when they tackle Great Southern Griffins in Friday night’s grand final. However, this season’s title will be far different to the last, if Owls are to get across the line in the Albany Basketball Association decider. Owls claimed the 2021-22 women’s title by forfeit as COVID prevented their opponents Sonics Blue from taking to the court in March last year. This time Owls and Griffins will go head-to-head, having been the two best teams throughout the 2022-23 season. They both finished with a win-loss record of 13-1 at the end of the regular season before Owls thumped their rivals by 25 points in the qualifying final last week. Led by competition star Rebecca Benson and quality tall Narelle Humphries, Owls will be hot favourites to win a second title. Young gun Keely Berry fired in the dominant win over Griffins last week, pouring in 21 points while Humphries was also a key factor in her side getting straight through with 19 of her own. Owls coach Justin Benson said his side would be on guard against a dangerous Griffins outfit. “We did play well in the qualifying final but they have beaten us before,” Justin Benson said. “It should be a really good match-up. “We play well when we share the ball and I think the key for us is doing the basics well, all the girls can shoot.” Brodie Dixon will return to the Owls side for the title decider, adding more firepower to an already stacked line-up. Rebecca Benson is the competition’s leading scorer with 203 points in 12 games while Humphries has scored 183 points. Owls won their round five fixture by 10 points before Griffins scored a 12-point result in round 12. Griffins are set to be without star player Danielle Carne, who has not played since February 14. Carne has an appendix injury and coach Paul Rogers said it was unlikely she would return for the grand final. “She is a really big loss,” Rogers said. “I feel like (Owls) have been the best team all year. “They have blown everyone away by big margins and I’ve got a lot of respect for them and what they do. “We’ll try a few things, play some small ball and see how we go.” The women’s grand final starts at 7pm.