IN 1998 super boy band 5ive uttered seven words which, 18 years on, have become hugely relevant to James Sheahan Catholic High School in this year’s Marianne Murphy Shield – five will make you get down now.
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In the English quintet’s case they were singing about busting a move on a dancefloor somewhere but for James Sheahan, it’s all about scoring their fifth straight Shield title.
They’re just one step away too.
All three of James Sheahan’s sides qualified for Thursday night’s finals on the back of dominant showings in Tuesday's gala day at Sir Neville Howse Stadium, they only lost one game across the under-14, under-16 and open divisions.
James Sheahan coach Kylie Jordan is “quietly confident” of taking home titles in all three grades – known as junior, intermediate and senior – and the overall trophy as a result.
“Quietly confident is the best way to put it I think, the other schools probably would be as a well,” she said.
“The thought of five in a row is a motivator for us, especially players like Em Brisbane, Erin Turner and Brigette Jasprizza. They’ve played the whole way through and would like to finish on a high.”
James Sheahan will take on Kinross in the senior decider and Orange High in both the junior and intermediate grand finals.
“Our girls beat Orange High by seven I think at the gala day in the juniors, so we’re confident there,” Jordan said.
The intermediate and senior finals will be a lot tougher though, James Sheahan’s mentor explained.
“We lost by one to Orange High in the intermediate games, so they’ll go in favourites there and we only beat Kinross by four in the senior game,” Jordan said.
“Our girls virtually all play for Life Studio in the (Orange Netball Association) Toyota Cup and they drew with this Kinross team in that competition. So it’ll be a very good game.
“Our girls just need to keep up the intensity for the entire game. We let Kinross back in at the gala day and gave them a sniff, we don’t want to do that again.”
Kinross coach Sophie Fardell identified intensity as a key factor for her side as well, along with controlling the tempo and not falling into the trap of playing James Sheahan’s style of netball.
“The girls just need to maintain their own style of play,” Fardell said.
“I think consistency through the quarters will really be the key.
“James Sheahan are able to stick it to everyone for all four quarters so we just need to be ready to really push hard for the whole 60 minutes.”
Thursday’s junior, intermediate and senior finals are at 4pm, 5pm and 6pm respectively, all at Kinross’ gym.