Grand final preview: Eighth straight decider for North Albany as they face in-form Mt Barker for women’s title

North Albany will be looking to end their recent run of grand final defeats when they tackle Mt Barker in the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association women’s A-grade decider on Saturday night. Aside from their breakthrough success in 2017, the Redbacks have lost six of the last seven grand finals, including four to Manypeaks. The Redbacks only lost one game this season, and drew twice with Mt Barker to finish three points clear of their grand final opponents and advance straight to their eighth straight decider. Mt Barker will play in their first A-grade women’s grand final after joining the competition in 2017. They will regain Tara Simpson and Stacey Hawkes as they look to secure a maiden premiership. Senior player Laura Archer said her team were excited to be in their first grand final. “We definitely have the talent to win and have played together for a number of years now so we know how each other plays,” she said. “After forming in 2017, to win our premiership this season would be a massive effort and success for the girls. “We know everyone will put in a big effort and if we keep a solid structure, that will go a long way to winning. “We are very strong throughout the whole side but we will need to keep Beck Gallimore, Kelly Burlikowski and Michelle Ericsson quiet. “We have four players playing for Tambellup in the Central Great Southern Hockey grand final at 1pm, so they won’t be fresh legs but we really need them. “They form a strong part of our team.” The match will be played at 7pm after the men’s A-grade decider.