TODAY is Hampden Football Netball League Grand Final Day and the Hamilton Kangaroos are in contention for two netball premierships.

Division 1 headlines the day, as the Roos face-off against Port Fairy in the season decider at Warrnambool’s Reid Oval.

It has been mixed fortunes for the Roos against the Seagulls in 2024, getting the points in round seven with a 35-34 victory, before going down in round 16, 32-43 before losing the second semi-final, 38-49.

Kangaroos coach, Lauren Killen said the team was ready for a big game to finish the season.

“I don’t think the pressure is on us as much, Port Fairy finished on top and will go in as favourites, and once again that experience on the court you can’t buy,” she said.

“Their players also have the experience with Nicole Dwyer, Meagan Forth and their experience matches up against ours.

“It is going to be a fast game.

“Their goalie end, they are very accurate, need to jump on those rebounds and make sure we score.

“We will go in with a pretty predictable line-up, but we have got moves if we need to.

“We have just had a fun year, we have had a bit of banter, and you can tell they’ve enjoyed it.”

Despite going into the biggest game of the season, Killen was keeping the routine as normal as possible, and the nerves were in check.

“I am a pretty cruisy person, even when I was playing, there is not much else I can do, the girls will get out there and get the job done,” she said.

“It is my birthday on Sunday, so I’d love a premiership to celebrate.

“I Definitely think Hayley Sherlock will be key, she had a brilliant season, finished two votes off the league best and fairest and didn’t play for four weeks.

“Amanda Huf in wing defence, needs to control the midcourt as well.”

It will be the second game of the day for Holly Rook and Ruby Cleaver, who will both be in action in the morning, as part of the Roos’ 15-and-Under grand final side.

Karen Spong coaches the junior side along said the group was excited to get on the court this morning against South Warrnambool.

“The girls are very excited to be playing in the grand final, I am sure there will be some nerves there as well,” she said.

“Obviously South has been the benchmark of the competition all year, I think out of our win in the semi-final, we take that belief that we can match it with them and if we play our best netball, we know it is good enough.

“I told them grand finals are really hard to get to and harder to win, but we want them to enjoy the experience, finals are a different atmosphere to the home and away season and the intentisty steps up.

“If they enjoy it, it comes through in their netball.”

With a strong group of juniors combining, Spong isn’t looking for any one particular player to standout, with the team set to miss gun goalie, Saskia Gould, due to being away for a school trip.

“Just across the board, we are looking for a team effort, they are combining really well,” she said

“A lot of the girls have played senior netball which has given them great experience, but it is going to have to be a team effort during the game.

“I feel we have the depth within our team and can modify our game.

“Lucy Jennings will step into goals, and we are bringing in Lily Raymond onto the bench.”

Retaining possession will be critical for the Roos against the Roosters.

“That has been the main focus of our game throughout the season,” Spong said.

“We do the work to get a turnover and we need to make sure we keep possession and capitalise on the work we are doing defensively and get the ball down to our scoring end and can convert.

“I think we have some very mature heads on some young bodies, which can hopefully can control the ball.”

The week has also remained relatively unchanged ahead of the decider, with a bit of extra fun involved.

“We are probably trying to keep it as normal as possible, I am allowing them to have a bit of hype,” Spong said.

“I want them to enjoy it, but I want to try and keep it as normal as possible to maintain any nerves, nothing out of the ordinary.

“I think South has got quite a few teams playing and has a really good following, but I am sure the Kangaroos supporters will get down there to support us and Division 1 as well.”