This is destiny day, only one club by 3:30pm will be deemed the 2010 champions and for another, wondering what might have been.
In one corner, Newtown Breakaways (Premiers: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009; Runners Up: 2006) the most illustrous club in the competition with finals appearances in every year of their participation. The Breakaways have two players from the AFL High Performance Academy in Natalie Redford and Roxy McGee. It's interesting to note that the Breakaways have some of the most experienced and inexperienced players in the competition in terms of games played. Can the Breakaways go back-2-back? Only their 2002-2005 team have been the only team in SWAFL history who have been able to climb the mountain again.
In the other corner, Balmain Dockers (Runners Up: 2008) in their second grand final appearance in three years. They have been the undefeated team in the home and away competition but came a cropper in the major semi-final before finding their compass in the preliminary final against Sydney University. With an exciting midfield, they'll be looking for big performances from their superstar full-forward Belinda Pride who must be close to 110 goals after scoring 6 on the weekend against Sydney University. Can the Dockers create their own history and be the first team from Balmain to be premiers and be legends forever?
We expect hopefully fine weather conditions on the day which will benefit both teams as the wet invariably makes the ball slippery and more prone to being kicked off the ground.
Dockers Coach Tracey Kick was a bit cagey on not letting too much information be released to the wider footy public but briefly said that the loss the previous week had refocused the mind of the Dockers especially any players who thought the premiership was a given but form had shown that the Dockers had won 2 out of 3 matches against the Breakaways this year.
Breakaways Coach Darren Lewtas about to conduct a light training session with the team was a bit more open, saying that the Grand Final was a cumulation of the journey together with the team. He paid tribute to the players especially the older players who had warmly opened up to the new players and not formed a clique within the team. He thought the team had jelled well together and that the previous matches especially the Wollongong match between the two clubs was basically the team finding it's feet together. In his word, the Breakaways had followed simple team rules and that "Discipline creates results" and the proof was in the pudding last weekend. His hardest job this week would be informing the unlucky players who would not be part of the playing 24 but will still contribute to victory as either water-runners or supporters.
We wish all the officials well in their final game of the season and thank them for their officiating during the season.
The BBQ will be in operation and on behalf of everyone in SWAFL, we hope to see you there.
There will also be an exhibition of Youth Girls Football, as players from the Illawarra Youth Girls Competition will be there to demonstrate their talent in a scratch match before the Grand Final. The players will be coming from the Kiama Power Club, Northern Districts Tigers Club and Albion Park Crows Club.
Last Modified on 05/09/2010 10:27