GRAND final week started on friendly terms between Lexton and Navarre.
Senior netballers took turns for court-time at Eureka Stadium after finding it was double-booked for training on Monday night.
Tomorrow, they will battle for the last Lexton Plains Netball Association senior crown.
Navarre is reigning premier but Lexton is the league's most successful netball team, having won four consecutive titles from 2002-05.
Homegrown Lexton coach Kimberley Roberts would love nothing more than to restore the Tigers to glory in the final LPNA season.
The Tigers finished the season fourth and have clawed their way, including a one-goal preliminary final win, to the championship match.
"Our strengths are that we've played pretty good netball in finals ... but it's more the fighting spirit of the girls," Roberts said.
"We were seven goals down (last week) going into the last quarter and never dropped our heads.
"We just kept fighting, really hung on for the win and I think that will continue on Saturday."
Decorated Navarre and interleague coach Nicole Harding knows her Grasshoppers will have a tough fight on their hands to keep the cup.
Positions have been reversed - Navarre fought its way from down the ladder to the final and upset a dominant Tigers outfit last season.
Both teams had major roster changes since and Harding said her team must be wary.
"Lexton's very good all down the court, so we'll need to be player-on-player and cut down their mid-court," Harding said.
"It's actually very exciting and great to be back in the final, so hopefully it goes our way."
Navarre goal attack Jess Parry is the one the Grasshoppers want to step up and the Tigers want to stop.
Parry dominated the court in last season's final and Harding said the goaler had built her game up this season.
Agile Navarre goal keeper Caitlyn Murphy has also been in good form and will have her hands full against Tigers' goaling combination Olivia Lockhart, Leesa Donhardt and Kimberly Roberts.
Each team is set to face the unknown next season and see no better way to get started than with a premiership.
Article: Melanie Whelan
EYES ON THE PRIZE: Lexton coach Kimberley Roberts and Lexton goal keeper Lauren Anderson are close to the silverware they will fight to win. Picture: Jeremy Bannister
Last Modified on 13/09/2010 14:11