Southern Suburbs Vipers are chasing back-to-back Illawarra Premier League titles, while Wests Titans are plotting a stunning upset in Saturday’s grand final at Berkeley Stadium.
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Titans shocked minor premiers Brindles 35-32 in last Saturday’s Preliminary Final after Vipers beat Brindles 47-29 in the major semi-final the previous week.
The giantkilling Titans won their last premiership in 2008 and after losing their final round match to Vipers to finish third, have beaten WNC Woonona Bulli RSL (fourth) 48-37 and the top side Brindles in consecutive weeks.
Vipers beat Titans 41-35 in the final round, but Titans had won their previous five games and their two semi-finals to be in the best form of the season.
Titans beat a weakened Vipers this season, 27-26 in round nine, while Vipers came from behind to finish too strong in a six goal win in round 18.
‘‘I’m surprised we have got this far but I’m not surprised with the courage and focus of my team,’’ Titans coach Kay Buckley said.
‘‘One thing for sure we won’t stop until the final whistle. The really pleasing this is we’ve found some consistency and are really working as a unit.’’
Goal keeper Annabel Bretag, wing defence Sophie Robertson and goal defence Emily Osborne were outstanding against Brindles and will be a key defensive combination on Saturday.
Vipers are in their third straight grand final, with coach Heath Sangster ending a painful run of grand final losses with a 10 goal win over Brindles last season.
Vipers lost by a single goal to Dapto in the 2013 decider, while Sangster and many of his players went through the heartache of four straight grand final defeats at former club Land.
‘‘For most of the players it’s their seventh straight grand final which is a marvellous achievement in itself,’’ Sangster said.
‘‘I think we know how to win these big games now and are playing well at the right time.
‘‘We respect Titans but we’ll go out there and play our game and concentrate on what we do well.’’
Vipers will have their top side available with goal attack Michelle Regan in contention to play after being in and out for most of the season.
Vipers skipper Michelle Chapman has been a linchpin of their charge to the grand final and will be a key figure in the season’s biggest game. The grand final is a 3.15pm start.