Royal Federal and LJ Hooker in Maitland netball A-grade elimination final

LJ Hooker has won the only encounter between the two teams this season after their round six encounter was abandoned due to rain.

“They are one-up on us, but we are confident of progressing into the next stage of the finals,” Royal Federal’s Kim Starkey said.

“We probably came in where we thought we would. We were hoping to make the semi-finals.

“It will be anyone’s game I guess on Saturday. We’ve only played once this year, as the first game was washed out, and they actually got the better of us in the game a couple of weeks ago.

“I must admit they didn’t start the season as well as I thought they would. They’ve definitely come home much stronger than they started.

“I feel we’ve probably been the more consistent side. Our performances have remained pretty steady.”

Royal Federal will be without defender Kate Summers who hasn’t played since injuring herself in the team’s 41-36 round 13 loss to LJ Hooker.

“We will be down Kate Summers, she injured herself when we played them last time which is a real shame as she added a lot of strength in the defensive mid-court.

“We will be going in with eight players, but I’m pretty confident in the eight we’ve got. We’re pretty even across the team.”

Starkey, who is also the Maitland Netball Association president, said 2016 had been a great year for Maitland Netball.

“We got to open the new facility and it is terrific, we also welcomed a new club come over as well to boost the competition’s numbers.

“It’s been a good year on a lot of fronts. To be honest I’m quite surprised how quick the end of season has come around.”

The winner of the LJ Hooker and Royal Federal has next week off and will play the loser from the top-of-the-table major semi-final between The George Tavern and Hills Solicitors.

Hills Solicitors claimed their sixth consecutive minor premiership, but have only won one grand final from their previous five attempts.

Last year’s grand finalists are square in results this season, but The George lost their most recent encounter and have been hit hard by injuries in the lead in to the finals.

“The George has had some injuries coming into the second half of the season and injuries to some of their stronger players,” Starkey said..

“We played them last week and they are still a strong team. I’d like to think they will beat Hills in the major semi-final, and we would play Hills if we get through.

“But they have been so evenly matched, they are two very consistent teams and both will be very hard to beat.”