Here it is, the Mackay AFL Grand Final for season 2013, and this game today finds the two competing teams who have been the most dominant throughout the year, in the Mackay City Hawks up against their old rivals, The Eastern Swans.
Both of these two teams have had a great year, despite the usual juggle to compensate for the missing players from week to week sometimes due to work commitments, which is a predominant factor of the playing list in our region, and of course injury, however both coaches and match committees have battled the odds and each week and produced competitive, if not winning combinations all year, and both teams have been neck and neck throughout the season, as can be testified by the close margin of just the one win and four points separating the two sides at the end of the home and away fixture.
Both clubs are to be congratulated for getting to this point, the highlight of the AFL season in Mackay, and of course the aim of each and every club, and footballer who pulls on the boots to play.
Commiserations to those clubs that did not make it , but who have worked just as hard this year, well done for your efforts and we look forward to your continued participation next season.
Congratulations also must go to our umpiring fraternity who have worked hard this season to produce better and more qualified umpires, without whom we would not have a competition.
This game starts at 3.00pm at Harrup Park and should provide a great spectacle of how the game of AFL should be played, and the spirit which it should be played in.
Both clubs tell me that they have trained well this week, as is often the case at finals time, and it is anticipated that both coaches will have a fairly full list to select their teams from.
Eastern Swans coach Brad McLaren told me that unfortunately Mark Svaikauskas is out and needs a knee reconstruction, however as the average final score margin between the two clubs is only 20 points for this season matches, Brad feels that if his side can get the ball to the forwards and they kick straight, they are a good chance, however he did say that his side will need to play their best footy as the Hawks are a strong unit, and Brad expects them to come out firing.
The swans are keen to be at their best and as they are very well represented today in every grade, including the reserves, it is a big day for the club.
David Johnstone has been here before, as this is the Hawks third Grand Final in a row, but at no stage is he or the club taking this game lightly as he knows that the Swans will be looking to atone for a poor second half of the season and will be difficult to beat, despite the fact that he knows they are a bit sore, and could be missing a couple of key players.
Dave did say that it is a difficult task selecting a side from the 42 that he had at training this week, although having the reserves in their own Grand Final, eases the burden of non-selection just a bit .
Dave said the he thought the week off will have given his players a small refresher, and he has used this time to reinforce just what it takes to win a Grand Final, and as the club has two sides playing today, the whole club is unified in their quest to ultimate victory.
Last Modified on 13/09/2013 10:24