The Maitland Blacks are under no illusions that they face an enormous challenge to end reigning premiers two-year unbeaten run in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union Women's grand final on Saturday.
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But with just one win from the opening seven rounds of the 15-round competition it was huge challenge to even imagine making the semi-finals let alone qualifying for them.
Six wins in the next eight competition games and victories over Merewether and Hamilton in the semi-finals has delivered them to the grand final.
The successful blending of experienced players returning to the game and hugely talented youngsters by coach Kelly Sager has enabled the Blacks to reset their focus on winning an unexpected premiership.
"A bit of good experience has come to the club this year, we've had some girls who have played some high-level rugby who decided to come back and have a run after 10 or so years away from the game raising families and the like.
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"Mixed in with some really good talented juniors coming through it's been a successful blend.
I was an ex-Wanderer for years and then came back to Maitland Blacks in 2016 after having time off for kids. This year Holly Smith, Kirsty McGrorey, Meghann Taylor came back to the game at the Blacks.
"I played with them at Wanderers years and years ago; they are very experienced.players, grand final player, country NSW players.
We've had Britany Duff, a current NSW Country player and current UNE Sevens player, join our ranks and with her came Leah Van Zeeland from the Netherlands.
"Brit went over to play a season in the Netherlands and Leah came back with her to play in Australia for a year. Those two have been amazing for us.
"We've got three stands out who came through the junior sevens in Jorga Holden, Emma Bradford and McKenzie Young.
"Jorga is 17 and the other two have just turned 18. She played fullback for the Knights earlier this year before coming to us. She has blitzed it. You don't realise how young she is because of the rugby brain that she has at 17 is phenomenal.
"Having those experience players coming in has helped those young girls in their development. They only have to worry about their game and have fun."
Sager said a huge team spirit had carried the team through the second half of the season and finals.
"They just play for each other. They love playing rugby, really enjoy each other's company and the team to them is the most important thing," she said.
"We'll give it a good crack, Waratahs are a fantastic team, they are unbeaten for two years, but we'll go out there and play our game."
