THE Wanderful Game’s JAKAN SEEMAMPILLAI previews this Sunday’s highly anticipated Geelong Region Men’s Division 1 Grand final between two of the local league competition’s biggest heavyweights, Geelong Rangers and Barwon SC, which will take place at Stead Park and promises to be a titanic battle.

The experienced “old boys” from Rangers will be playing in their fifth consecutive grand final and will come up against the State League hopefuls from Grovedale who have had a stellar season under new coach Dale Harris.

Barwon were the run-away minor premiers this season after an impressive year which saw them win 15 of their 18 games. They finished nine points above the men from Bell Post Hill who came a distant second. The Grovedale club have smashed home 84 goals this season with star duo Adam Leather and Craig Cameron-Smith scoring 16 each.

However Rangers come in to the game in red hot form after winning 11 games in a row, scoring 46 of their season tally of 54 goals in that time. Zach Henry and Ben Noble have netted 30 times between them this season for the Myers Reserve based club.

After winning only one of their first seven games which included a 9-0 drubbing at the hands of Barwon in Round 7, Rangers really started hitting their stride mid-season.

Club legend Mick Opperman credits the turn around with the return of several experienced players into the team.

“We started of slowly but with the injection of some experienced heads into the team, we have really turned it around,” he said.

“We have guys now that have been there before and know what to do. We have a system we believe in and are looking forward to the challenge this Sunday”.

The 11 game winning streak includes a 2-0 win over Barwon in Round 17, the blue and whites only loss for the season.

Veteran Ranger Scott Davison believes that win along with the experience in his team will hold them in good stead on the big day.

“Our strength is a team of mature players who have played at higher levels and have a never-give-up attitude and a fight to win,” he said.

“We might be the old boys of the competition but we know how to win in the big games, and we did beat Barwon four weeks ago which will give us a lot of confidence.”

Davison is quick to point out though the strength of the Barwon team his side will face.

“Barwon have a well organised structure under the coaching of Dale Harris, they are a young team with fitness and motivation… they would be very keen to do the double after finishing on top of the league”.

The Barwon coach is well aware of the threat that Rangers possess, however he is confident his team has what it takes to come out on top.

“Their danger men will be Scotty Davidson and Zach Harry…however we are capable of dealing with their threats,” says Harris. “Apart from worrying about their quality we have quality right across the field ourselves and we are confident that all we need is a good start and patience.

Barwon made it through to the big dance thanks to a comfortable 4-2 win over Surfside Waves in their semi-final last weekend, a score line which flattered the Waves. Barwon had the game wrapped up in the first twenty minutes after skipping away to a 3-0 lead before taking the foot of the pedal.

Rangers had a much tougher encounter, narrowly beating an unlucky Breakwater Eagles 3-2 in extra time with Matt Long claiming the winner.

Rangers are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Geelong. Under the leadership of President Kylie Chapman they have a team that competes in FFV State League Two.

Barwon, under the presidency of Dave Rea, have re-affirmed themselves this season as one of the GRFC local league’s powerhouse clubs, with their women’s first division team also playing in the grand final this weekend.

Barwon have ambitions to be a State League club as well and a local league division 1 championship will go a long way to proving their worth at that level. However the “old fellas” at Rangers will be out to win their third championship in five seasons and won’t make it easy for their younger opponents.

It will be an exciting conclusion to the local men’s competition this Sunday with kick off set for 4.30. The match officials for the game will be Daniel Breen (centre), Wade Blackney and Maurice Lunardelli.

In the Second Division clash on Sunday, Golden Plains take on Deakin Ducks at 1pm. Corio Bay clash with Corio in Division 3 at 3.30pm.

There is a full program of matches on Sunday at Stead Park with the boy’s juniors and men’s Masters grand finals also taking place.