On paper, the gap between two-time defending champions Sunshine Coast Lightning and NSW Swifts appears enormous ahead of Sunday's Super Netball grand final in Brisbane.
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But Swifts coach Briony Akle believes just one bad quarter separated the teams the last time they played.
And she was confident a stunning preliminary final victory over Melbourne Vixens has given her underdogs the confidence to turn that lapse around at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
The 2019 title appears Lightning's to lose after they stormed into their third straight season decider with a tournament record nine consecutive victories.
The stage is set for Sunshine Coast to give departing coach Noeline Taurua a fitting farewell after winning all three games against Swifts this season, including a 58-48 triumph in their major semi-final a fortnight ago.
Remarkably, the Lightning have only been beaten once in their history by Swifts, holding a 6-1 overall record.
Akle almost sounded in awe of the legacy her rival Taurua will leave behind when she departs the Lightning after the grand final to return to her native New Zealand for family reasons.
Asked what made the Lightning so good, Akle said: "Where do you start?"
But Akle was quietly confident of pulling off a boilover win after thrashing the Vixens 60-47 in a stirring preliminary final display.
"We lost by 10 (in semi-final to Lightning) but ... we had one bad quarter, a bad seven minutes," she said.
"So for us it is about turning that third quarter around and playing like we did for the rest of the game.
"And I think having that really good win against the Vixens has given us confidence."
The Swifts are aiming for their first title in 11 years after booking a grand final berth - a remarkable turnaround since last year's sixth placing.
But it will be easier said than done for the Swifts, who have a heartbreaking history at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
Captain Paige Hadley will return to the venue for the first time since the Swifts suffered grand final losses to the Queensland Firebirds in both the 2015 and 2016 trans-Tasman seasons.
"We've had two tough grand finals, two losses but not this time," Hadley said.
"The Lightning have internationals all over the court, they have been together for three years, they have a coach with a good success record.
"But what I love about sport is that you turn up on the day and it is anyone's opportunity to win.
"While they have a lot of things going for them one thing against them is us and we are ready to put up a fight."
Australian Associated Press
