It is preliminary final weekend in the Picola League football and netball this weekend.
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Finals tomorrow will be hosted at Waaia while Sunday’s games will be played at Katamatite.
Out of the local Picola clubs, Blighty Football & Netball Club has one team in a preliminary final, the under-13s netballers
Meanwhile, in an extraordinary feat, all 11 grades of preliminary finals this weekend will feature a Deniliquin Rovers Football & Netball Club team.
Blighty take on Tungamah after a 30-7 semi final win against Strathmerton at Jerilderie last Saturday.
They play Sunday at Katamatite, at 10.25am.
Tomorrow at Waaia, six of the seven Deni Rovers netball teams will play, while on Sunday at Katamatite the remaining netball team and four football teams will play.
In the netball tomorrow, the Deni Rovers under-15s netball team start proceedings at 9.20am against Tocumwal.
The under-13s and under-17s netball teams both play at 10.25am against Tocumwal and Jerilderie respectively.
At 11.50am, the Rovers C-reserve and B-grade sides both play Tungamah teams.
Then at 1.30pm, in the premier match of the day, the Rovers A-grade netball side play Dookie United.
On Sunday at Katamatite, the Rovers fourths play Berrigan from 9.15am, after which the thirds play Tungamah about 10.25am. The reserves play Waaia from about 12.15pm.
From 1.30pm, the C-grade netballers play their preliminary final against Dookie United.
The final team to play a preliminary final this Sunday is the Rovers senior footballers, with the game expected to start about 2.05pm against Katamatite.
Seniors football coach Alex Hay said he wants to see more of what the team did on Saturday against Berrigan, with good play, particularly in windy conditions.
“The game against Berrigan was interesting, given the conditions,” he said.
“The strong southerly posed some challenges, especially kicking into it, but we probably played some of our best footy for the year kicking into it, which was really pleasing.
“I thought our pressure was really good all over the ground and our spread from the contest was excellent, then to finish our work forward of the ball makes all the difference.
“There have been periods throughout the year where we have been able to generate a lot of forward 50 entries but lacked the reward.
“We got that on the weekend, which was crucial, particularly in the first half.”
Katamatite finished second on the ladder and beat Katandra in a qualifying final, and may have a home ground advantage this weekend.
They have several quality players, including former AFL player Tom Clurey at centre halfback.
The 31 year-old played 124 games for Port Adelaide from 2014 to 2023.
Katamatite beat the Rovers by 48 points at Deniliquin in round 12, when the two teams last played each other, but Hay said he expects both teams to have changed since then.
“They'll also be adding a few handy players that we will certainly have to plan for.
“The fact that they finished second shows their quality, and they don't really rely on two or three players to get it done.
“They are really well coached and play a pretty attacking brand of footy, but I'll back our system and our players to get the job done.
“I think the guys have grown in belief each week and are confident in what we can produce.”
The Rovers senior line-up has been quite settled during finals, however, they have lost two players for the preliminary final from their semi-final performance.
“Unfortunately, we lose Logan Ives and Harry McIlwain this week, both with hammies, which is really disappointing.
“Logan has been so influential to the way we play since his return, and his impact on the contest and leadership will be missed.
“Haz (McIlwain) only got the one game in, but we love what he brings and is so reliable.
“He is a real glue man that holds everyone together, so with both of those guys out, it puts the pressure on but also gives opportunity for others to step up, which we love.
“The occasion of the preliminary final certainly won't be lost on us, and what the rewards are.
“We haven't been here all that often, so we'll be there to make it count this weekend.
“On a side note, what a remarkable effort it is to have just about every grade of football and netball through.
“Fingers crossed we can get after it and get some results.”