Northern Knights, Calder Cannons target fast start in NAB League Girls under-18 grand final

A fast start will be the order of the day as Northern Knights and Calder Cannons eye premiership glory in the NAB League Girls grand final at Princes Park.

A fast start will be the order of the day on Saturday as Northern Knights and Calder Cannons clash in the NAB League Girls grand final.

Speaking ahead of the decider at Princes Park, both clubs said a strong first quarter was critical to lifting the cup.

A three-goal-to-nil opening term propelled Calder to a shock preliminary final win over Geelong Falcons.

In contrast, Northern Knights were forced to fight tooth and nail to overcome Eastern Ranges after taking only a one-point lead into quarter time in their preliminary final.

Knights coach Marcus Abney-Hastings said it was rare to see teams get run down at the under-18 level.

Calder Cannons captain Georgia Patrikios and Northern Knights skipper Gabby Newton with the premiership cup. Picture: Ben Higgins

“In football at this level if we start really well, teams generally find it difficult to come back. We’re going to put a lot of emphasis on that,” he said.

Cannons assistant Troy Newton said his team needed to repeat its performance of last week.

“(We need to be) accountable, pressure the ball carrier and keep the ball in (our forward line) and hit the scoreboard early.”

The Knights tasted grand final defeat last year at the hands of the Falcons and the undefeated minor premiers are keen to avoid the agony this year.

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“We know what it’s like to be on the wrong side of the equation on grand final day, so we definitely don’t want that to happen again,” Knights captain Gabby Newton said.

“It definitely adds fuel to the fire.”

Cannons counterpart Georgia Patrikios was confident her team could spring a second surprise upset.

“(The preliminary final) was a bit of a shock but not to us,” she said.

Georgie Prespakis in action for Calder Cannons.

Nell Morris-Dalton in action for Northern Knights.

“They have a good list, a good spread of talent … we’ll identify some players to match up on but we’re going in to play our style.”

In a quirk of the NAB League fixture, the Knights and Cannons haven’t played each other this season.

The Cannons are shooting for their second under-18s Girls title while the Knights are eyeing their first.

Newton said Nell Morris-Dalton would be a key figure for the Knights while Patrikios believed “underrated” midfielder Alana Barba was one to watch.

The grand final will kick off at 2pm on Saturday at Princes Park.

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