Dookie United’s A-grade netball side is booming with confidence as it heads into a debut grand final appearance in its second season back in the Picola District League.
The Thunder is competing for its first PDL A-grade flag since the club initially joined the league in 2006 and competed until 2017, before returning in 2025 after an eight-season hiatus in the Kyabram District League.
Dookie United co-coach Tanya Caruana knows this weekend’s match-up against Deniliquin will be a hotly contested affair, but is backing the women is teal, black and white to execute under pressure.
The Rovers beat Dookie in the qualifying final by 12 goals, 41-29, but earlier in the season Dookie got the better of Deni by five goals.
“We’ll need all seven players to be at their absolute best, Deni will exploit any weakness we present with,” Caruana said.
“They are a formidable team and you have to play your best netball against them.
“It’ll be all about delivering and executing under the pressure of the day.”
Dookie’s strength lies defensively - the Thunder is ranked second for least goals conceded, and held minor premier Tungamah, which averaged 61 goals a game in 2026, to 39 goals in its two-goal preliminary final win.
Georgia Caruana and Ella Dickins command the positions at the defensive end, while coach Caruana also lauded mid-courter Gemma O’Sullivan as a tenacious threat without ball in hand.
“Our defenders have been top of the rank all season,” Caruana said.
“They don’t let a lot of ball through, it’s a tight and tough defensive ship.
“We’ll rely on the defence heavily.
“Our goaling end has a bit of variety, which does bring a bit of risk, but gives us handy back-up options.
“We’ll start with our experienced goalers but if Deni get over the top of them we’ll look to make some changes.
“Deni has a tall mid-court, but Gemma will be really pivotal.
“She’s great at both ends as a centre court player, she’ll be one to watch.”
The Thunder hasn’t been to the A-grade grand final stage since a KDL appearance in 2022, but the Rovers are familiar with the territory, premier in 2024 and runners-up in 2025 to Katandra.
Can Dookie United force the latter outcome for Deniliquin in 2026?
“We’ve done the hard work to get here,” Caruana said.
“The plan for Saturday is to go out and play a cracking game of netball.
“Enjoy it, we’ve made the club proud, let’s go play a cracker.”
The A-grade grand final begins at 1:30pm at Mathoura Recreation Reserve on Saturday, September 12.
