DEAKIN Ducks will go into Sunday’s GRFC Men’s Division One Grand Final against reigning champions Geelong Rangers the overwhelming favourites, having not lost a single game all season.

PHOTO: Deakin's Harry Woolley and Rangers' veteran Joao Ramos attended a special Geelong Advertiser photo shoot by the Waterfront, ahead of this weekend's final (Photo: Tonci Prusac)

With 12 wins and only one draw in the regular season, the Ducks managed to win all five of their Pool A Finals’ matches in the second phase of the Men’s elite competition.

The Rangers, on the other hand, finished the regular season in 4^th spot with eight wins, a draw and four losses. They hit top form at the right time in the Play-off phase where they managed to secure four wins and only one loss.

Their only defeat came at the hands of Deakin when Christopher De Hoog, Kyle Schorback and an own goal were the contributors for Deakin, while Dale Harris scored Rangers’ consolation goal in a 3-1 defeat..

Rangers were missing focal central playmaker Scott Davison, on the day, who will be a key for Rangers’ hopes of capturing back-to-back Grand Final successes on Sunday.

Deakin, on the other hand, will be looking to sharpshooter Harry Woolley, who has netted an incredible 33 goals in 20 matches for the Students this year. His opponent is expected to be veteran centre back Joao Ramos, who is set to play his 300^th senior game for the Dark Blue on Sunday.

Although the Ducks will enter the battle arena the overwhelming favourites, Deakin coach Colin Raj is not about to get carried away.

“We know to expect a really tough game on Sunday. Rangers have played in the last three grand finals and the conditions down at Surfside probably suit them more than us so we'll have to be at our best for the entire 90 minutes in order to get a win,” he said.

Sunday’s season decider kicks-off at the special twilight time of 5:30pm at the Shell Road Reserve, the home ground of the Surfside Waves.

MEANWHILE, Deakin Ducks will head into Saturday’s GRFC Women’s Division One Grand Final clash with Drysdale SC the overwhelming favourites after disposing of Barwon 6-0 in their semi-final last weekend.

In an unfortunate pre-Grand Final twist, the venue for the Women’s season decider was moved at the last minute after player safety concerns with the pitch at the original venue, Village Park in Barwon Heads.

The high flying Ducks have dropped points in only one game (a draw) and finished the regular season with an astonishing goal difference of 86:3! They easily accounted for Barwon at its Waurn Ponds home ground last Saturday, running out convincing 6-0 winners to advance through to this weekend’s Grand Final at Banyul Warri Reserve in Torquay North.

The Ducks come up against underdogs and Grand Final debutantes Drysdale, who will be out to spoil Deakin’s party. Drysdale recorded a stunning triumph over second placed Kardinia College last weekend, defeating the Students 3-2 courtesy of a Nicole Carter goal in extra-time.

The key to both sides’ chances of lifting the Cup on Saturday will be across the midfield. Both teams will be aiming to keep the supply flowing forward to their respective spearheads League Golden Boot Serena Clapp for Drysdale and the Runner Up in the goalscorers’ chart, Madeleine Lee Gow for Deakin.

Saturday’s highly anticipated season decider kicks-off at 2:30pm at Banyul Warri Reserve.