2014 Illawarra Credit Union District League Grand Final

Warilla Wanderers vs Picton Rangers

WIN Stadium

Kick-off: Saturday, 3pm.

Referee: Bobby Mazevski

Warilla Wanderers enter their fourth consecutive Grand Final this weekend when they take on Picton Rangers at WIN Stadium.

If Wanderers can win, it will be their second Grand Final victory in a row and a feather in the cap for a club pushing hard for promotion to the Premier League.

Warilla boss Barney King is no stranger to the Grand Final atmosphere, having coached in eight District League deciders in the last nine years and experience is key on such a big occasion.

“We’ve certainly come home in strong form but Grand Finals is always what happens on the day,” said King.

“Experience gets you through at the back end of the season and we’ve ticked all the boxes so far.

“The win over Picton [in the qualifying final] gives us a psychological advantage but you take nothing for granted in a Grand Final.

“The game’s going to be on a good surface in the middle of the day and it’ll certainly be interesting but we’re super confident because we’ve done nothing wrong for a month with a full strength side.

“They’re probably pretty angry with us and they’ll come out and be very physical it but we’re really looking forward to a hard game.”

Warilla overcame Picton 3-0 in their qualifying final and the extra week off has left them injury free for the big game.

In the two games since the loss, Rangers have scored six goals and conceded none and it looks like one of the District League’s most potent attacks is firing at the right time of the year.

The good form hasn’t erased the past, however, and Picton boss Brett Morley knows his side is raring to avenge their defeat earlier in the finals.

“We got a bit of a touch up from them in the qualifying final,” said Morley.

“If that and the occasion of a Grand Final can’t get us going then nothing can.

“We’ve had good preparation this week, we’ve got some niggly injuries and stuff but you get that this time of year.

“It might be a test of our depth but I’ve got no problems and we won’t have any excuses.

“We’ve just been concentrating on what we need to do and to try and enjoy the Grand Final for what it is.

“Both sides are in the same boat, it’s a Grand Final and anything can happen so we have to be right on our game and hopefully it’s a good game and the best team wins.”

Games between Warilla and Picton have yielded plenty of goals this season with three games resulting in 10 goals and the 2014 decider should be no different as two quality football sides go at it.

Julian Keith

FSC Reporter