TAE Aerospace Ipswich Jets coach Paula Stuart, a finals veteran of the past six years, is aiming to go one better after falling agonisingly short of taking out the competition in recent times.
Gold Coast Titans coach Temepara Bailey has invested three years of hard work into a relatively new franchise with Suncorp Super Netball aspirations, and it’s coming to fruition this weekend in the form of a maiden grand final appearance.
The Jets hold the superior record, defeating the Titans three times in 2024 including a 51-48 major semi-final victory less than two weeks ago, but Stuart knows history is nothing to ride on.
“We won by three points in the semi, and in the second round were five goals down with 90 seconds to go,” she said.
“It’s anyone’s game in the grand final, and it’s who gets those one-percenters right for 60 minutes. We have the experience in finals, but the Titans come in with nothing to lose and can be just as strong.”
It’ll be double the excitement for the Titans at Nissan Arena this Sunday, as the Gold Coast franchise will also feature in the earlier Ruby Series grand final.
The coast’s Ruby team managed to secure a place in the upcoming decider against the Carina Leagues Club Tigers with a heart-stopping 61-60 preliminary final victory over the ACU Brisbane North Cougars.
Gold Coast Titans CEO Steve Mitchell believes the franchise’s success stems from investing in not only the immediate teams, but staff, pathways down to their inaugural schools league, and the broader community.
“I’m really happy for Tem (Bailey), she’s done three seasons of really hard work and now both of the teams have gone through to the grand final, so that’s phenomenal for her and a reward for a lot of hard work,” Mitchell said.
The 2024 HART Sapphire Series and 2024 Ruby Series will be available to watch live on KommunityTV from 4pm on Sunday, August 4.
Grand final tickets are on sale now and include access to the Queensland Suns M-League grand final at 2pm, before the Ruby Series (4pm) and HART Sapphire Series (6pm) grand finals commence.
