Anything can happen in a final.
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There's a reason that's become a time-honoured platitude trotted out leading into virtually every post-season of virtually every competition in virtually every sport around the globe - because it rings true so often.
The Orange Thunder have experienced that, which is why centre Tegan Dray had no hesitation in making the remark in the lead-up to Sunday's Netball NSW Bing Lee West-Central West Regional League finals at Sir Neville Howse Stadium.
Think back to April 2 of 2017, the Thunder had rolled into the finals without a blemish on their record and promptly won through to the decider as well, where they were gunning for their 22nd consecutive title win.
But, anything happened in that decider.
Bathurst stunned the 21-time defending champions, leading from start to finish and securing a breakthrough, landmark 51-43 decider victory that ended the Thunder's incredible streak.
That loss served as motivation for the Thunder in 2018's edition.
They reclaimed the throne in emphatic fashion last year and have rolled through this year's preliminary stages undefeated too, and in a bid to make sure anything doesn't happen again they've left no stone unturned in 2019.
That's largely meant mixing it up on court during the opening two rounds, making sure they're flexible, versatile, and adaptable.
The undefeated Thunder face-off with Dubbo in their semi-final on Sunday morning while Orange Netball Association's other top flight side, the Lightning, will take on Bathurst.
Considering the Lightning finished second through the opening two rounds, the possibility of an all-Orange final isn't just realistic, it looks pretty likely.
In the division two semi-finals the undefeated Blayney outfit takes on fourth-finishers while Bathurst's under 17s play Gilgandra.
In division three Orange's undefeated under 15s, coached by Dray, take on Cowra's under 17s while Bathurst's under-15 side faces-off with Mudgee's under-17 squad.
In division four Mudgee's under 15s finished first and progressed directly to the decider, with Orange to take on Gilgandra in the preliminary final.
Sunday's finals day starts at 9am, with the top flight decider beginning at 1.50pm.
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