Shepparton United defensive pair Laura Cole and Liv Kirby are quickly turning heads with their on-court talents and are fast becoming the best defensive duo in the league.
Both aged 17, the young defenders will front up in United's grand final side that will take on Seymour on Sunday afternoon at Deakin Reserve.
The premiership decider is the last stop in what has been a sublime season from the Demons duo, who have more than solidified their spots in goal keeper and goal defence.
Cole, the one who wears the GD bib with flair, spoke of the feeling playing alongside one of her close friends.
“It's pretty special playing with your best friend,” Cole said.
“We are like two bodies with one brain, we hardly have to communicate because we are on the same page.
“We've worked really hard and I just really enjoy playing with her.”
Kirby agreed with Cole, highlighting that the two of them were similar in almost every way.
“We're practically the same person,” Kirby said with a laugh.
“It's a great feeling to be out there with her, knowing that she has my back.
“We're such close friends on and off the court, we have lots of fun out there.”
In last weekend's preliminary final, the pair were matched with tackling Echuca's Claudia Mawson and Casey Frame.
After being beaten in the first quarter, their ability to work through and get the contest back on their terms was remarkable, even more so when you consider their age.
It was another win for Kirby, who has regularly been tasked with curbing the influence of older and experienced shooters this year.
Cole's astonishing season was highlighted on Monday night at the league best-and-fairest awards, when she polled 17 votes and finished inside the top 10.
“I got a text message saying I was leading after round 12, I couldn't believe it,” the Victorian Netball League player said.
“It was such a surprise, and it was great to see Jessie take home the award, she's had an unbelievable year.”
United's first-year coach Tania Orchard was full of praise for the rising stars, as she spoke of their progress from the beginning of the year.
“It's been incredible, they have both worked their backsides off,” she said.
“They are very dedicated and have a willingness to learn and I'm just really proud of them.
“It's pretty amazing for them to be starting defenders at the age of 17. I'm excited to see where their future takes them.”
Orchard, who took over from former United coach Di Hanslow, has had a big impact on the pair in her first season as coach.
The mentor has steered her side through to the big dance and the two youngsters believe it is her energetic personality that has been a breath of fresh air.
“She's very different to Di, who was such a great coach, but I think Tania has brought a heap of positivity to the side,” Kirby said.
“She is really social and super positive and she's like a friend, not a coach.”
Cole added: "It's been great under Tania, she's really energetic and it's a lot of fun.”
But with only days remaining until Sunday's grand final, Kirby and Cole quickly turned their focus to the big dance.
After both featured in United's 2017 17-and-under premiership, it will be Cole's second senior grand final appearance and Kirby's first.
And no matter what happens on Sunday afternoon, you know that United has a bright future ahead with Cole and Kirby leading the way.
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