Starved for success since the inception of Super Netball, the Adelaide Thunderbirds are embracing the pressure of playing in their first grand final when they meet the NSW Swifts in Melbourne on Saturday night.
Until this season the Thunderbirds had finished last or second last on the ladder since 2017, banking a miserly 19 wins over six seasons.
This year alone they've won nine games with skipper Hannah Petty saying the lean times had built a hunger and excitement within the squad.
"I remember not winning any games in a season (2018) so that was definitely difficult times but it's where you learn the most about yourself," Petty said on grand-final eve.
"You get that extra drive that you need to finally get here and I guess it's a bit of a reward that we are here now.
"We know that it's been tough, but we're really excited to hopefully break the drought."
After beating the Swifts in their last two meetings including an extra-time win in the semi-finals, Petty didn't think her team would be overwhelmed by the title decider.
The club's last crown came 10 years ago when it was a trans-Tasman league.
They will have superstar defender Shamera Sterling available after she overcame an ankle injury suffered at training this week.
"We haven't played a lot of finals but I think that's a positive as we go in feeling very excited," 25-year-old Petty said.
"We don't know what to expect so that can be a really good thing and knowing that we can run over the top teams in the last quarter is a great factor.
"We never give up and that's something that I think will be key this game."
The Swifts have a contrasting history, never finishing lower than sixth and winning titles in 2019 and 2021.
With that last premiership coming in a "hub" due to COVID-19 restrictions, NSW skipper Maddy Proud said her team was also soaking up the grand-final vibes with the John Cain Arena match a sell-out.
Proud admitted the Swifts had "no right" to win their preliminary final against defending champions West Coast, storming back from a four-point third-quarter-time deficit.
While rookie goaler Sophie Fawns steered the Swifts home, they have England World Cup shooter Helen Housby, who is a runaway league leader in two-point super shots, as a strike weapon.
Proud said the Fever fightback had steeled their self belief.
"That last minute in the game last week, that's where that connection and that kind of relationship within the team comes into play," the midcourt ace said.
"We all had that real inner belief and that's where knowing each other like the back of your hand and when that experience in those tight games comes into play.
"Hopefully we won't have to deal with that again but we know that if we do that we'll have the right tools in place."
Proud said the Thunderbirds had versatility and strength across the court but felt her team was on par.
"We match up really well against each other all the way down the court and every game has been up and down and always fought to the death," she said.
"We think third time's a charm for the Swifts and hopefully that's what happens tomorrow night."
