History not haunting the Dolphins

Despite losing five title deciders since entering the first grade competition in 2013-14, the Gold Coast Dolphins are confident they can take out Sunday’s Grand Final.

They may be playing in a title decider but the Gold Coast Dolphins are business as usual for tomorrow’s Katherine Raymont Shield T20 showdown with Valleys.

“We’re not seeing it as a grand final but just another game of cricket,” coach Gary Lovett said.

“The girls are feeling really positive and they’re excited.”

Despite losing five title deciders across various formats since entering the first grade competition in 2013-14, Lovett is confident his side can get a result at Allan Border Field (10am).

“We’re carrying a lot of form into the game,” he said.

“Our batters have found form and some of our younger bowlers are bowling really well and getting wickets.

“We’re peaking at the right time and place.”

Batter Giselle Parmenter agrees that previous losses won’t come back to haunt the Dolphins.

“The past losses are in the past, we don’t dwell on what has happened,” she said.

Gold Coast batter Giselle Parmenter (check name ) takes a run during the Katherine Raymont Shield (women's first grade cricket) between Gold Coast and Wests at Cheltenham Oval, Cheltenham Drive, Robina. Pic Tim Marsden

“We are all coming in with a fresh mindset and if anything, we can use the past motivate us to take it out.”

After winning four games in a row, Parmenter believes her side are primed to perform well in the decider.

“There is a lot of talent in our team and with everyone’s attitude I think if we all do our part and support each other, we will have no issue putting pressure on the other team,” she said.

Valleys have the wood on the Dolphins this season, defeating them in both games.

In their most recent encounter, Valleys secured victory with one ball to spare.

But with a top order of Carly Fuller, captain Amy Riddell and recently returned Hobart Hurricanes star Georgia Redmayne, Lovett believes his side can reverse their fortunes.

“We’ve got a few plans in place to get their batters out or at least restrict their scoring but we’re not going to change a lot,” Lovett said.

“You don’t fix something that’s not broken.”