Despite a mixed start to the season, Waikite captain Eliza Stephens knew when things started to click her side could achieve great things.
Her faith was clearly well placed as Waikite found form when it mattered most and have roared their way up the table, to a semifinal win andearned a home final.
Tomorrowtheir season reaches its climax as they take on Rangataua at Bellvue Rd.
Waikite have a proud history and Stephens, who has won several finals before, said she was encouraging the less experienced members of the team to enjoy the week.
"It means a lot to have the grand final at home, with the way the season has gone. We've been in the rebuilding phase but I always believed in these girls - that we could make the top four if we just chipped away at our short term goals.
FINAL BOUND: Waikite players catch their breath after a semi-final win over Waimana last weekend. PHOTO/BEN FRASER
"We've kept level headed this week, everything seems to be going to plan and everyone is quite calm about it.
"We don't want to get the ladies too hyped up for the big occasion, we are certainly looking forward to it though - it means a lot to us to be top of the table and playing the final at home.
"The primary focus on Sunday is to demonstrate to our rookies what it feels like to play in a final and how important culture is to our success over the past five years.
"These newcomers will one day be tasked with carrying the strong legacy built upon team culture," Stephens said.
Waikite coach Shane Wilson said about half of his team had played little to no rugby previously and they spent the first half of the season figuring out who should play where.
DOMINANT: Waikite's loose forward trio Jamie Haumaha, Luka Connor and Sequoia Te Aonui have been an unstoppable force this season. PHOTO/BEN FRASER
Once the side was more settled, the wins started flowing.
"To make the final with such a new team is really good. In the last month it all started to click and they've started to have more confidence in themselves.
"I'm a great believer in building character from adversity and we've had a bit of adversity this season. I'm really proud of our ladies for coming out on top. We've had to train hard, learn new systems and become better rugby players and people," Wilson said.
Waikite's loose forward trio of Luka Connor, Jamie Haumaha and Sequoia Te Aonui have been arguably the most dominant players in the competition.
They all have the ability to break tackles, as well as offload the ball, and their support play is second to none. If they lead from the front, as they have done all season, Waikite will go a long way towards lifting the trophy.
PACE: Waikite's Autumn-Rain Stephens races towards the try line against Waimana last weekend. PHOTO/BEN FRASER
Rangataua lost 34-10 last time these sides met, but coach Paul Pou said his side had learnt a lot since that encounter.
"We learnt a lot about ourselves and about the opposition when we last played Waikite. We are asking our players to be consistent, understand their roles and make sure our defensive line stays strong.
"This weekend we need to play our game plan, win our set piece and apply lots of pressure against a much bigger team," Pou said.
He said his side had exceeded their own expectations in their first season in the competition.
