NETBALL
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A few established campaigners might have taken Hills Solicitors and The George Tavern to the major semi-final but a pair of new recruits could decide the winner.
Nicole McCarthy (Hills Solicitors) and Sophie Crouch, nee Turner, (George Tavern) joined their respective teams during the second half of the Maitland A-grade season and each has had a major influence.
McCarthy, who played in Newcastle last year, was recruited by minor premiers Hills Solicitors just in the nick of time to qualify for play-offs and played her first game in Maitland against The George Tavern in round 11.
Crouch (nee Turner) linked up with The George Tavern midway through the year after the Hunter Jaegers junior returned home to Maitland after living in Queensland.
Come this Saturday at Maitland Park they will be up against one another out in the middle with a grand final appearance on the line.
McCarthy will team up with the likes of Alana Bellamy, Britney Robinson and Elli Bevan, who returns after four weeks out with a calf strain, in the Hills Solicitors mid-court while Crouch will link with a mix of Amonie Lindsall, Casey Griffiths and Tara Pluck in the centre for The George Tavern.
Shooting for Hills Solicitors will be the dangerous duo of skipper Mel Morris and Catherine Zhorab, who have averaged almost 60 goals per game this season, while at the other end Emily Keith and Amy Griffiths will take aim for The George Tavern.
Defending for Hills Solicitors will be Susan Stokes, sister of McCarthy, and Katie Lawrence while Laura Nolan and Alex Meredith will do the job for The George Tavern.
Their head-to-head encounters this year stand at one apiece with The George Tavern winning 55-51 last time around while Hills Solicitors claimed a 56-39 triumph in round four.
The winner of Saturday’s fixture goes straight through to the September 7 grand final while the loser will meet Lantry Plumbing in the preliminary final on August 31.
The major semi-final starts at 2.30pm.