South Barwon A-grade netball side held on in a nail-biter last weekend against Geelong West Giants, weathering a fourth-quarter assault to win the semi-final 49-47.
The Swans led at every change, extending their lead by two goals each quarter to lead 39-33 at the final break.
The Giants gained the ascendancy in the final term, outshooting South Barwon by 14 goals to 10, but the Swans’ work through the first three quarters was enough to see them finish ahead by two goals at the final whistle.
The victory means South Barwon will face Colac again this Saturday, the clubs’ third meeting in four weeks after the Swans lost both the rescheduled round 16 match and the first qualifying final to the Tigers.
But Swans coach Jordee Nichols said her players were keen to turn the tables and get the result this weekend.
“Three games in four weeks, that’s a lot of Colac, but I think coming off the final [two weeks ago] where we lost in overtime, it actually fills the girls with more confidence than ever,” Nichols said.
“I’ve said it many times, we have great relationships with them off the court and a really great mutual respect for each other.
“We lost pretty convincingly to them in the last game of the home and away season, so to come back the next week and match it with them for four, well, five quarters, it was pretty amazing.
“So I think that fills us with confidence instead of dread. We’re just looking forward to having another crack, doing our best and playing in another final.”
Nichols said she was extremely proud of her young playing group and the way they’d learnt and grown over the past two seasons.
“Honestly, I think the girls have exceeded not only mine, but their own goals and expectations,” she said.
“Obviously we dreamt of playing finals, but we were realistic in that we’re a very, very young group; I think everyone aside from Olivia Cameron is around 21 years old.
“We’re just stoked to be here. No one put us in their top five at the start of the year, so I couldn’t be prouder of the girls.
“We truly believe if we play our best, on any given day we can beat anyone. We’re here now, we just want to keep going.”
