GRAND final fever hits Blue Lake Sports Park on Saturday, with Concordes White and Concordes United go head-to-head in the Mount Gambier Softball League season decider.
The two sides have been evenly matched all season, with each recording two victories over the other in the minor rounds.
However, United has looked almost untouchable since the mid-season acquisition of Montanna and Mackenzie Millard and will certainly go into the match as the favourites.
They prevailed over White in a tight contest in the first qualifying final, with the difference being a deeper batting lineup and the fielding magic of Mackenzie Millard in the outfield, who pulled in four catches that few in the league would have managed.
Dana Jones will likely take the mound for United, after a consistent season in which her work rate with both bat and ball will certainly put her in contention for league trophies.
Coach Hannah Taylor also has the luxury of Montanna Millard as a back up should the White bats get on top of Jones, which could prove vital in a seven-innings match.
Leonie McCallum and Bec Von Duve have been as solid as rocks on the infield corners for United all year and combined with Sarah Thomson at short, Codie Jackway at second and Hannah Taylor behind the plate, it is an impressive infield to contend with.
But White also boasts an impressive fielding lineup, with the likes of Rachel Bagshaw at short stop, Maddy Sutherland at third and Maddy Bowd prowling at second.
Alli Kreplins and Billie Jones will share the pitching duties as they have all year, with the right/left combination proving effective last week in their tight win against Warriors Blue.
The outfield for White also includes the experienced trio of Jo Hopgood, Kate Altschwager and Linda Dodds, with Brandi Miller in the mix as a utility player.
Sam Brown will lead the side behind the plate and provides a vast amount of experience and calm for her team, evidenced by a crucial out in the semi-final which ultimately changed the course of the game in her teams’ favour.
Batting will be key and whoever does it better will likely walk away with the premiership.
White will need to keep the ball on the ground and away from Millard at centre field.
They will also need to improve on their conversion of runners in scoring position if they are to upset United.
United will not need to change much from their winning formula of two weeks ago, but will need to manage their nerves and stay loose against a White side that has nothing to lose.
For club president Jo Hopgood, it is a win-win situation regardless of the outcome.
“It was an incredible feeling to win last week and get both our sides into the grand final,”she said.
“We have worked incredibly hard over the past five years on improving the culture, coaching and people-first focus of our club.
“After so many years of being the big improvers, it is finally our chance to claim that elusive premiership.”
Indeed, for many players it will be their first taste of premiership glory, regardless of the victor, so a red-hot contest is guaranteed and one not to be missed.
The game will kick off at 2pm on Saturday, with league presentations from 5pm at the club room.
