Shoebridge proud to lead únderdog’ Dragons in GF battle

BY KIERAN ILES 
BENDIGO TIMES

SANDHURST captain Sophie Shoebridge says the Dragons are embracing a rare chance to wear the underdog tag in this Saturday’s A-grade netball grand final against Kangaroo Flat.

The Dragons, coached by Tamara Gilchrist, will be aiming for their first premiership since 2022.

A 15-goal victory over the Roos on that occasion capped an historic four-peat, following pre-COVID wins in 2017-19.

In contrast to this weekend, Sandhurst started as heavy favourites in at least three of those triumphs, with the possible exception of 2018, when Gisborne was the first team through to the premiership decider, albeit with the Dragons as dominant minor premiers and perhaps still slight favourites.

The Dragons were also short-priced favourites in 2023, losing by one goal to Gisborne.

While it’s somewhat unfamiliar territory, Shoebridge admitted the underdog tag sat comfortably with the Dragons.

“We are hunting them – we have the drive and there’s no pressure on us,” she said.

“We are going into it just wanting to enjoy it and to enjoy the day. We’ve got a really good energy.

“Going from getting knocked out in the prelim last year to fighting for our position this year, there is a really great vibe within the group and everyone is just excited to go out and play some good netball.”

While there was no cause for weekly or even sporadic reminders, Shoebridge said the hurt from last year’s preliminary final exit still burned within the playing group, but had spurred a strong response throughout this season.

“Because of last year, we know what it feels like to have worked so hard and to not be there (in a grand final) and that’s made us ever more hungry for it,” she said.

“We really fought this year to play for each other and play for our club and we’ve really enjoyed it.

“That’s got us this far.”

If the Dragons are to return to the top of the BFNL mountain, they will need to do something they have yet to do this season and beat Kangaroo Flat.

But they will take plenty of comfort in the knowledge their most recent effort was their best to date against the Roos.

The margin was 10 goals in round four at the QEO and 15 at Dower Park in round 11.

Sandhurst could easily have booked its ticket to the grand final a week earlier than it did, coughing up a four-goal lead at three-quarter time to the Roos in a three-goal semi-final defeat.

While the Roos will go into the main event undefeated, Shoebridge believes the gap is closing between the two teams, now that both are at full-strength.

“Anything can happen in finals and we saw that two weeks ago against Flat,” she said.

“We went into that last quarter up, but it showed you really have to play a full 60 minutes of netball, and whoever turns up on the day is the one that is going to succeed.

“As long as we play a consistent 60 minutes, I feel we can get the job done.

“We’ve talked about the semi-final a lot and watched the footage. We’ve really learnt from it.

“We know we have to treasure the ball in those precious situations – go back to what we know best and play our game and not get sucked into the atmosphere and be with each other on the court.”

Fresh from their preliminary final win over Gisborne, the Dragons preparation for Saturday was given another injection of momentum following star midcourter Shae Clifford’s Betty Thompson Medal win on Sunday night.

Shoebridge described her teammate as ‘beyond incredible’.

“We couldn’t be prouder of her, just such a workhorse,” she said.

“She’ll always give 100 per cent and you never have to wonder whether she is putting in the effort, as without a doubt, she is always one of the first at training and the last to leave.

“She has had a great year – ultra-consistent – polling most weeks.

“As a 21-year-old, she has a bright future.”

On what looms as a massive day for the club, with four netball (with the exception of B-grade) and three football teams in grand finals, Shoebridge is undeniably proud to be leading her team into grand final battle in her first year as captain.

“It’s been a real honour this year to follow in the footsteps of Meg (Williams) and Bec (Smith),” she said.

“It’s been a learning experience, but I can’t say there’s only one leader out on that court.

“Every single one of us has something to bring and I am learning so much from everyone.

“We’ve been together long enough now to know we can have those hard conversations, but we also enjoy our time out there together.”