Unbeaten Royals Saints out to win third A1 title in six years as they come up against a strong Narrikup side

Royals Saints 1 are hoping to complete a perfect season and win their third A1 premiership in six years when they tackle rivals Narrikup 1 in Saturday’s Albany Netball Association grand final. The sides will do battle for the coveted Diane Martin (Jackson) trophy in the decider. Royals Saints will be hoping to repeat their grand final success of 2017 and 2019, while Narrikup are chasing a second title in three years after winning the 2020 grand final. This season, Royals Saints have been a dominant force, winning all 12 games in the regular season and then coming from behind to beat Narrikup in the qualifying final a fortnight ago. They will be out to record a 14th consecutive win in the biggest game of the year but co-captain Kathryn Jennings said it was not something her team had discussed in the lead-up. “It’s not really been talked about,” Jennings said. “We know every game is going to be a challenge and we need to put together four consistent quarters to win. “If we apply that pressure throughout the whole game then it will give us a good shot. “This is the fourth time we play Narrikup. “Our team matches up really well against them and we know it will be a tight and physical contest.” Jennings said her side was determined to finish the season with a premiership. “We can win if we just keep going with our game plan, nothing too fancy or out of the norm,” she said. “This year is one of the best groups I’ve been a part of, and to finish it off would be something pretty special.” Star shooter Nardia Humphries will return to the Royals Saints team after missing their qualifying final win because of COVID-19. Narrikup and Royals Saints met most recently in a grand final in 2012, with Narrikup winning by six goals after a marvellous 27-goal haul from Cherie Determes. This will be Narrikup’s third A1 grand final in a row, and captain Rylee Davis said her side were ready for the challenge. They led by as much as six goals in the qualifying final and went down by a goal in a pulsating final term, but responded to beat the Magpies in the preliminary final on Saturday. “We definitely know we have the potential,” Davis said. “The big loss to Royals early on was the start of the season for us really — it kickstarted us into action. “You get plenty of excitement from younger players and we have that experience to go with the youth, so it’s a good mix.” Narrikup lost by 20 goals in round six to their grand final opponents, and then by six goals in round 13. Davis said wining a premiership on Saturday would be very special. “For Narrikup it would mean everything,” she said. “We have A1, A2 and A3 in the grand finals, so it would be the biggest high to win all of those.” The A1 decider will start at 3.30pm on Saturday.