Trompf weighs in on Grand Final

By Stephanie Smarrelli
 

"The form guide and stats are out the window.”  
 
Queensland Firebirds premiership player, Keirra Trompf believes this weekend’s Grand Final really is anyone’s game. 

Trompf has firsthand experience being in the pressure cooker of a Grand Final with the weight of the world on your shoulders. 

She recalled how she felt lining up for the Firebirds on Grand Final Day in 2011. 

“We hadn't lost a game all season, there was a fair bit of expectation and pressure on us to win,” she said.  

“There was a lot of nerves in the change room before the game, it was quiet in there more so than any other game the whole season. 

“We got the win, but it was a lot closer than we expected, towards the end of the game we pulled away. 

“We learned a lot about finals that day and that you can never really read too much into the form lines before the game. It's really who shows up on the day.”  

West Coast Fever will go into this weekend’s Grand Final in a similar position to Trompf’s Firebirds in 2011. 

Undefeated since Round 3, there’s a lot of expectation on Fever to perform Saturday night.  

“They're definitely going to go in as the favourites,” Trompf said. 

“Having only lost the two this season, they're expected to win, and they'll be feeling that pressure. 

“Maybe not right now but come Saturday night when they're preparing to take the court some players will feel that pressure more than others. 

“That sense of expectation from their fans and themselves having had such a great season, they've got the weight of the west coast on their shoulders.”  
 
On the other hand, the Vixens go into the match having fought for their position in finals. 

“They'll come in as the underdog and that's a position they will relish,” Trompf said. 

“Having the final in Melbourne, that's a huge tick in their box, they'll take a lot from the crowd and having their families and friends all there.”  

Trompf has faith the Vixens will be able to win on the day, despite two losses to Fever this season. 

“The brand of netball they play with so many Origin Diamonds in their lineup, there's no fight they won't come to,” she said. 

“They'll never give up, particularly with the likes of Simone McKinnis as their coach and their captain Kate Moloney she's just someone you want to play for.  

"I listen to Moloney speak to her team, she's so inspiring, goes out there and leads by example.” 

But she also can’t rule out the minor premiers. 

“Dan Ryan has architected a fantastic fight back,” she said. 

“With Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard coming back into the team, it couldn’t be better poised for a great match.” 

According to Trompf the teams will go into the match with two very different mindsets. 

“Fever really need to go into the game like it's any other game,” she said. 

“They've proven themselves this season and they need to approach it by doing what they've been doing. 

“Having the week off is a definite advantage as well with the Vixens coming off the six days. 

“The Vixens have been celebrating and had the extreme emotions of just making the Grand Final.  

“They're going to be on a bit of a high coming in.” 

Starting matches well is always important and this week will be no different. 

“Getting off to a good start whether or not you’ve had the week off can always be tricky,” she said. 

“It'll be interesting to see the intensity in which Fever starts the match on Saturday.” 

Regardless of the start though, Trompf says it’ll come down the key moments. 

“Who can make the right decisions under extreme pressure?” she said. 

"The Vixens have been able to do it two weeks in a row under trying conditions in away venues and they've really banded together as a unit.  

“They'll take so much confidence out of that while Fever haven't been pushed under that type of pressure for a little while.  

"Dan Ryan will be thinking through all of those things and their training environment will be very high pressure but nothing can really prepare you for the Grand Final.” 

While excited for the match ups on the court, it’s an off court battle she’s most looking forward to. 

“It'll be a really interesting battle between the two coaches,” she said. 

"There'll be a lot of changes probably made for Fever, the defensive end has options, unlike the Vixens who probably stick with their starting seven. 

“It'll be a tactical game, and the entire way through they'll exploit what they can.” 

There’s a couple of key areas Trompf says the teams will need to get on top of to win. 

But there’s one area of the court she believes this game is won or lost. 

“Fever’s shooting end is potent but it's the defensive end that's really impressed me over the last few weeks and has been absolutely growing all season,” she said. 

“Fran Williams, Sunday Aryang and Kadie-Ann Dehaney are coming into form at the right time. 

“That's the area of the court the Vixens will be looking to try and exploit with their Diamonds in Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin against Aryang, Williams and Dehaney. 

"That end of the court will be where it's won or lost.”  

But there’s another key aspect Trompf predicts will be critical to the result. 

Fitness. 

“If Austin can get on top of Sunday and have that confidence to go for her Super Shots throughout the game not just in the last quarter that'll potentially keep the Vixens in the match,” she said. 

“Then it'll really come down to who's got the fitness to run out the game and whether or not the Vixens coming off a six day turn around with a limited bench will impact. 

“We saw Tara Watson make her debut in the Preliminary Final but only for a few minutes and Lily Graham also only got a few minutes. 

“They don't have the flexibility of Fever running the twins through the midcourt and really having those fresh legs.” 

Trompf touched on the potential of Hannah Mundy returning to the Vixens lineup for the big game. 

“I watched too closely after the Preliminary Final, she sprinted onto the court,” Trompf said. 

“I don't have any intel but I'm hopeful she is potentially an option because that'll make a huge difference to the Vixens attack. 

“Mundy was probably their best player up until her injury, we would have thought that was the end of the Vixens season, but they've been able to find a way with Zara Walters who has had a stellar season herself. 

“They've got options, but it would certainly bolster their attack end to have Mundy there up against the likes of Fever who have many defensive options through the midcourt.” 

Looking at the attacking end of the minor premiers, Trompf acknowledged how hard it is for teams to halt Fever in flight. 

“It's got to be a full team effort,” she said. 

“The teams that have been able to really slow it down this season like Lightning who went up against them early on, had a full court defensive set up right from the first centre pass.  

“They need to really pressure the ball carrier to isolate them, you're not going to beat Fowler-Nembhard in the air so you must put some doubt in the mind of the feeder. 

“The Vixens haven’t been able to beat Fever this season so they'll potentially try something new. 

“I don’t think Emily Mannix is going to be available but she’s on their list and could be an inclusion.” 

While whether Mannix is in the mix to play is a very interesting question, there’s another player Trompf backs to step up if called upon. 

“The shining light the Vixens have is Maggie Caris,” she said. 

“Caris did a great job against Fowler-Nembhard in Round 3 and was probably one of the strongest goal keepers against her this season. 

“She got up and contested, she had a really strong line to the ball and was clean.  

“The difference between Round 3 and now is Fowler-Nembhard's had a season to get her eye in and she was only just coming back that game. 

“There’s lots to work on for the Vixens and they need to look at shutting down Shanice, they can't put all their eggs in one basket.” 

Trying to predict a winner is hard but Trompf is backing in one team. 

“The Vixens,” she said. 

“And Moloney is my prediction for best on.”  

You can watch Saturday’s Grand Final via Kayo Sports, Foxtel and Binge. at 7.30pm AEST.