16 Weeks of Football have bought us to the finale of this year's competition.
In one corner - representing in the black, white and purple colours of the Western Wolves. (Premiers 2000, 2006, 2008. Grand Finalists 2000-2006, 2008-2009). Second placed in the home and away season. Won 10, Lost 2, Draw 1.
Coach Jason King has got the Wolves in finals mode with a hard fought 4 point win over the Newtown Breakaways in the Major Semi-Final earning the weeks rest, whilst watching Newton and Balmain slug it out in the preliminary final. With their team at full strength, the Wolves will be hard to beat from the forward line all the way to the back line they have gelled well together. Has the week off footy slowed their momentum or was it the timely break required to rest the minor niggling injuries? Only Saturday will tell.
In the other corner is the red and white of the Newtown Breakaways (Premiers 2002-2005, Grand Finalists 2002-2007, 2009).
After the undefeated home and away season, the Breakaways came a cropper in the major semi-final against the Wolves and then it the greatest escape since Steve McQueen, got away with the preliminary final against Balmain. The Breakaways coached by Jamie Robertson know they will have to lift their performance from their recent form for the big match. Maybe their traditional grand final breakfast may be the secret ingredient to get them over the line! With star players across the field, it's a question of whether they how much last week's match took it out of them physically for the grand final.
Only a potential 80 minutes stand between glory and emptiness. Who will it be? The answer we'll find out at approximately 3pm .....
If the Wolves win, they will be judged as the equal with Newtown as club of the decade with four premierships apiece whilst if Newtown win, they have the undisputed title as SWAFL's most successful club in the league's first decade with five premierships.
While I am not brave enough to predict a most worthy 2009 winner I know one thing, the premiership is not about the shield - "The trophy signifies the cumulation of a journey together that as a group, we have managed to achieve the goals that we set out at the start of the year and there is nothing more satisfying than doing that as a team." Peta Searle, coach of the Darebin Falcons VWLFL Premiers 2006-2009 in Essence of the Game.
Historically the Wolves and Newtown have been keen competitors meeting in the league meeting in the Grand Final in 2002-2006 for 4 wins to Newtown and 1 to the Wolves. However the last grand finals have had Sydney University and Balmain Dockers as contestants so for some players this is their first grand final between the two mighty sides, whilst for others it is that familiar time of year again.
Pictured is Lachie Worthy, coach of the Premiership Sydney Uni Bombers in 2007 and his team with the premiership shield.
Last Modified on 03/09/2009 21:41