REMEMBER as a child when Christmas morning would roll around, and the giddy excitement of peeling open the presents would sink in.
That’s grand final day for sports fans, and Saturday will be no different.
A packed house is anticipated at Mildura Sporting Precinct as 14 different premierships are on the line across all football and netball grades.
It’s awesome to see the great spread across the competition with eight of the nine SFNL clubs involved in at least one match on game day. It should be a huge boon for the occasion.
Of course there are the two main events with two intriguing contests awaiting us.
The senior football grand final which is littered with star power, will mean one side, Imperials or Wentworth, breaks a premiership drought that’s lasted over a decade.
Stars like Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Jarrod Brander will be highlights but the talent runs deep in both outfits, who have been the best in the competition all year.
What a spectacular performance it would be from Imps to go from wooden spoon to premiers in 12 months. They know how to do it, though, as they did exactly that in 2012 and 2013.
Under new coach Brad Vallance the Green Machine have lost just once and drawn once during an outstanding campaign.
Wentworth, however, are the only team to knock them over, and have the momentum on their side under co-coaches Ben McGlynn and Wade Hancock.
The A Grade netball decider should also be a cracker in the ilk of Wrestlemania III, looming as the battle of the irresistible force against the immovable object.
The latter is a powerhouse Wentworth side for whom winning is in their DNA. Actually, you could argue it’s programming because their consistent outstanding performances is almost machine-like.
Led by the outstanding Amanda Edwards and containing winners across every line, the Roos last tasted defeat 1287 days ago.
The last team to take them down? Why it’s only their grand final opponents Ouyen United, who bested them in the 2019 decider.
Making three of the past four grand finals and putting together five preliminary finals in a row, Kyra Nathan and her squad of finals specialists pose the biggest threat to Wentworth’s unbeaten run.
Good luck to all competitors on Saturday, and a big shout out the umpires across both sports. Without you there simply would not be any games.
It’s not only a celebration for those on field and on court, it should serve as great acknowledgement for everybody behind the scenes who gave their time to ensure their club can continue rolling.
Club volunteers, you are the backbone of these competitions and if it wasn’t for your help and support it would all fall by the wayside.
From working in the canteen, to line marking the ovals, clearing the courts, to being a timekeeper watching over the game, thanks to all of you for your efforts.
No matter who you support or which club you are involved with, congratulations on your contributions this season, and enjoy your grand final day.
Bring it on!
