And the 2024 grand final heartbreak has provided all the ammunition the Wombats require for their round three clash.
Everyone knows the tale; Lancaster was en route to an A-grade Kyabram District League flag as juicy as a wombat’s favourite root when it was stopped in its tracks by a quiet achiever.
Girgarre was yet to win an A-grade premiership but had finished the home and away season on top of the ladder with a record of 14-2 (same as Lancaster).
However, the Kangaroos had been belted by the Wombats in round nine at home 44-68.
Girgarre had also lost 38-49 in the semi-final two weeks prior.
On a foreign court at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, the Roos found a home as they outlasted the Wombats in a thriller 40-43.
This Saturday, at Lancaster Recreation Reserve, the hosts will be keen to put last year’s decider behind them and get one back on their new rivals.
Both sides have started the A-grade season in good form as they look to make it back to the last match of the year.
Girgarre made light work of Murchison-Toolamba in round one, winning 20-71, before dispatching Merrigum 63-18 the following week.
Lancaster faced Merrigum in round one away from home, securing the match 27-43 before having the bye.
Kangaroos co-coach Abbey Butler said while the two clubs had slightly different line-ups to the last time they met, supporters could expect a hotly-contested match.
“We know that Lancy have always been quite challenging for us,” Butler said.
“Coming off the premiership, this is obviously one we would like to win again.
“We have lost a few (players) from last year, but gained a couple more and those girls seem to have gelled really well with the girls we have kept and we seem to have a really strong dynamic.
“So far so good, they seem to be working well as a team.
“That’s all we ask, we want the girls to be having fun and have their netball reflect that.”
Butler said the Roos’ consistency to start the season had been a highlight.
“Allana (Adams) has come out firing and has been real good, but across the board, all the girls have worked really hard in the pre-season and know what role they need to play,” she said.
“There hasn’t been one (person) that hasn’t played their role.”
Down the Wombat hole, new coach Elly Westerveld is figuring out what her best combinations might look like.
Despite some fresh faces, Westerveld said her players were starting to find synchronicity on the court after only one match.
“We took a bit to get going (during round one) because it is such a new team,” Westerveld said.
“About halfway through they started to gel together and came away with a good win there.”
Lancaster will be without star Lexi Thomas, but Westerveld knows her players don’t need any extra motivation to get up for the contest against Girgarre.
“Obviously, it does have a little bit more feeling in it,” she said.
“Hopefully, we can come away with the win.
“We are down a few players, so it will just be about trying to play possession netball I think.”
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