Traditional cross-town rivals the Mackay City Hawks and North Mackay Saints will face off for the fifth time this year and with both teams, sights set on the Mackay Isuzu UTE Trophy.
Starting at the early time of 7:45am, this game will be like playing wet weather footy.
If we are to dive into the season that was, statistically this is how they match up.
Head to Head
Round 2 - Saints by 33 points
Round 8 - Saints by 58 points
Round 13 - Saints by 24 points
Qualifying Final - Saints by 17
Goal Accuracy
Hawks - 54.85%
Saints - 57.7%
Leading Players Inside Forward 50
Hawks - Hamish Maconald (18 goals): This is 18.95% of Mackay City's goals.
Saints - Ty Jenkins (30 goals): This is 23.6% of North Mackay's goals.
If they are to win, by how much?
Hawks: by 14points - statistically, this is their average winning margin this season.
Saints: by 45 points - the minor premiers have been big winners on average this season.
The FIVE points
1. North Mackay are the unbackable favourites, with only one loss this season - way back in Round 7 against the Eastern Swans. It is hard to go against that type of form, but it is Grand-Final day and anything can happen when the nerves kick in.
2. The influence of Logan Hunter across half-back and Ethan Goodwin in the ruck, will be a massive key in the outcome of this match. Goodwin, is one of, if not the best tall in the Mackay Isuzu UTE Trophy and Hunter, who finished in the Top 10 of the competition 'BnF' usage is first class.
3. Settling their nerves. Grand-Final day brings all types of emotions and kicking the teams first goal settles everyone and makes the other side a little edgey. Each sides respective leading goal-kickers in Ty Jenkins-Noah Smith (Saints) and Hamish Macdonald-Charlie Hughes (Hawks) will be the nerve settlers for their respective teams.
4. Battle of the mosquito fleet. The likes of Taj Rowler and Lachlan Jones for Mackay City & Darcy Siemer and Darby Coleman for Saints, will be key. All four can pop up, with a quick in and under, a sneaky goal, hard run or even just their voice.
5. Playing the Harrup Park corridor. Mackay City haven't played on the main-oval at the home of football much, if at all this year, so the home-ground advantage is out the window. Harrup is a very wide ground and which ever team, can like for the inside kick and use the centre highway, will blow this game wide open.
Final Say: We would love to predict, but it is Grand-Final day and we are sitting on the fence. Both sides boast quality midfields, hard running defenders and elusive forwards.
The likes of North Mackay's Dane Larsen, Ty Jenkins, Elvis Mateariki, George Smith, Aaron Yates, the list goes, Grand-Finals aren't won by individuals but by teams with individual efforts. The Saints need to continue their hard-running, long kicking game-style if they are to come away with the cup.
For Mackay City, players like Hunter Brewster, Logan Hunter, Mason Quarrell, Ethan Goodwin and co, will need to continue their stellar 2016 and stick to their structures of smart, skilful football. The short to medium kicking game and link via hand-ball throughout the last month of the season and through the finals, will win them the flag if they can stick to it.
Match Details
North Mackay Saints V Mackay City Hawks
7:45am
Harrup Park, Lamb Street - Mackay
Saturday 10th September
The thoughts and views in this article are those of the author and do not represent the views of the players mentioned, clubs and AFL Mackay.
Last Modified on 14/09/2016 11:29