Tongala’s B-grade side will face Moama in a fourth consecutive grand final.
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It’s a special feeling to make a grand final, but for both Moama and Tongala’s B-grade sides, that achievement risks becoming mundane as the Blues and Magpies enter a fourth straight Murray League decider.
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Tongala coach Paige Wade’s side will be right in its comfort zone as it takes on Trinity Keith’s Moama team, the same match-up from the past three grand finals.
Tongala will be the favourite for this fourth encounter, compiling a perfect record so far to go with the premiership it claimed after going unbeaten last season.
“We’ve had a few changes in the team, but essentially the core group’s pretty similar,” Wade said.
“We’ve been working alongside A-grade all year and are very excited going into the grand final.
“The top six has been a fairly close top six, and the last six rounds of the year we played the top six, so we had some good games going into finals, and we’re looking forward to it.”
Tongala is rife with netball talent, and the Blues are looking to put together an unbeaten treble across B-grade, C-grade and C-reserve.
Wade highlighted the talents of a player such as Jazmin Clark, who was an A-grade regular with the Blues last year and has been a key addition to the B-grade squad this campaign.
“I think that’s where our strength lies really, we’ve got, 10, 11, 12 good contributors every week,” Wade said.
Although Echuca United established itself in the grade this season, improving from a middle-of-the-road side last year to a 16-2 powerhouse, it was Moama that won its way through the preliminary final 55-46, setting up a fourth consecutive Tongala-Moama grand final.
Moama claimed the first two title meetings in 2022 and 2023, but Tongala broke through for victory in 2024 and will enter this year a strong favourite.
Lisa Drysdale’s presence in Moama’s B-grade side has boosted the experience and leadership within the team. Photo: Jordan Townrow.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
“Just like us, they’ve had plenty of experience in finals, and they’re a pretty mature team as well,” Wade said.
“It’ll be a very good game, and it’s a pretty crazy thought to play the same team four years in a row in a grand final.”
While Tongala may be the Goliath to Moama’s David, the Magpies are determined to slay the giant and feel comfortable as an underdog with nothing to lose.
“They’re (Tongala) coming through undefeated, they’ve been the pinnacle all season, but we have the belief,” Keith said.
“We've fought off opposition through the other final series that some people may have doubted us for, but we’ve got the connection, and I’m just really excited.
“It’s going to be a tough match and a really close one, but we’ve got the belief that we can do this.”
Reflecting on the season as a whole, Keith highlighted the influx of new blood into the side and the inclusion of 2024 A-grade coach Lisa Drysdale as a player, adding depth and experience.
She also outlined some of the struggles the team had had throughout the year, which had built character in a side now staring down the barrel of a return to glory.
“There’s a new bunch of girls to the club mainly, so we’ve really had to build our connections on and off the court,” she said.
“We’ve had a lot of girls bring so much experience and knowledge in different areas of the game, which has been amazing to have.
“We’ve had Lisa Drysdale, she’s been a fantastic support for us and helping support us.
“We had a bit of a slump through the middle of the season, with many injuries and some serious illnesses.
“But, just as a team and as a club managed to keep ticking by, which has made me super proud.”
The B-grade grand final will begin at 12.30pm on Saturday at Moama Recreation Reserve.
