A SENSE of déjà vu has shadowed me over the past few weeks with people asking who is going to win the Sunraysia Football and Netball League premiership.
I’m no Nostradamus. Hell, I can still barely tie my own shoelaces so my “spidey senses” aren’t overly reliable when it comes to authoritative opinions and tips. Just ask my bank account.
It has been tough trying to pick decide who will go on and claim glory in 2022. It was as even a field as I’ve seen come finals time.
And honestly, after three years without finals footy, we couldn’t ask for more. To have a situation where you could truly make a case for all finalists is exactly the shot in the arm that was needed.
Wind the clock back two weeks to the end of the home-and-away season and those of us in the Hot FM commentary box were evenly split among the four finalists when it came to our premiership predictions.
I backed minor premiers Irymple, Pat Silcox was bullish on Ouyen United, Don Falvo believed his Robinvale Euston side had the momentum, and station manager Ivan Behsmann felt Wentworth could arrest their recent form line.
Do the maths and you can deduce there was no consensus, which is ultimately the way you want finals to go. Again, you could make a case for all teams.
Irymple is a handy default answer to pick for the premiership. Sure, it may not be exactly the same line-up as recent years but add in the likes of Justin Robinson and get further development into their young stars, and they’re always going to be good.
Wenty found the secret sauce again last week and their lightning-quick ball movement is a sight to behold when it’s on target. There’s a good reason they won 11 straight games to start the campaign.
The top talent at Ouyen United is up there with the best in the league and while there had been questions about their overall depth, several unsung heroes played important roles in their comeback win last week.
While Robinvale Euston are out of the running, if they keep the core of their squad, they have the building blocks to be a perennial contender. Andrew Richardson and crew have done a tremendous job and potentially the addition of another classy on-baller could be all they need to at least win a final in 2023.
Maybe we should nickname this season “oxygen” because it’s all still up in the air, and we absolutely love it.Hot in the box
It does feel strange preparing for next week’s grand final day special broadcast without the looming presence of our great friend Bill Sauer.
No doubt he’ll be getting his Tassie tan on while tuned in through the wireless down south.
Even when calling games since he finished up in July, you just wish he was there with that reassuring demeanour to let you know you haven’t stuffed up too badly.
Forming a two-man call team with Pat Silcox has been brilliant though, as play-by-play calling is up there with the best, and John Hollywood on the boundary gives amazing insight through his previous experience in a coaching capacity. We’ve also enjoyed having a rotating cast of on-air talent including Ben Ridley, Don Falvo, Michael DiFabrizio, Louie Bulzomi and Ivan Behsmann.
It’s honestly my favourite time of the week, and to spend it with people just as passionate about sport as yourself is amazing. Although Bill won’t be with us (unless we can get through to his PA via phone), hopefully you can still enjoy the ride with us.
Tune into coverage of the SFNL finals series on 106.7 Hot FM, or 90.7 FM in Ouyen, Wentworth and Robinvale.
