NSW Swifts captain Kimberlee Green has declared herself a certain starter for Sunday's trans-Tasman netball grand final against the Queensland Firebirds.
Green has been hampered by a calf injury for the last few weeks but the Diamonds midfielder says she feels ready to play a full game if required at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
"I think as athletes you come to know your body pretty well and so far this week it's felt really good," she said.
"I'd hope to get a full game out of it, without a doubt... (but) that's up to the coach."
The 29-year-old played only the last quarter of the Swifts semi-final win over the Magic in New Zealand last Sunday, and did not take to the court for NSW's Australian conference final loss to the Firebirds the week before.
With the Netball World Cup on the horizon, the Swifts have been wary of taking too many risks with Green's fitness.
"The backup after playing the Friday to the Sunday was a really tough ask for my body to be able to cope with that," Green said.
"Just being able to sit back a little bit and rest it, that doesn't mean I've been sitting on my bum doing nothing.
"I've been working pretty hard at home."
Firebirds coach Roselee Jencke said she didn't fall for the guessing game over Green's grand final involvement, putting it down to classic "gamesmanship" from the underdog visitors.
"I expected that she would start, I was in no doubt for one minute," Jencke said.
"What she adds is her leadership and that Swifts spirit.
"She really does lead from the front so they do rely on that.
"You always expect they'll play their best team and we'll prepare for that - but we also prepare for all their other line-ups."
The Firebirds are red-hot favourites to win the title, coming into the ANZ Championship decider on the back of a 12-game winning streak and an undefeated record against NSW this year.
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