BOTH Wandella and Ultima will go into tomorrow’s Golden Rivers Football League grand final with full strength line-ups.
The Bombers will make one forced change to the side that defeated the ‘Roos by 20 points in the second semi-final on August 26, whilst both teams may make positional swaps in readiness for the deciding match of the season.
Shannon Burton – who played 13 matches for the Bombers this season – will miss out on playing in his first senior grand final after fracturing his leg in the opening weekend of the finals series.
The Bombers’ leading goalkicker, Sam Sperling will come into the side to replace Burton, whilst ruckman and co-captain, Dylan McGrath and defender, Tim Robinson are also set to return for the competition leaders, who hold a 2-1 record against the ‘Roos this season.
“Fortunately we will have a full list of players to choose from,” Wandella coach, Paul Grayling said.
Ultima will also have a full squad to pick from, with coach, Jack O’Rourke saying at Monday night’s E.G. Hunt Medal that last weekend’s 39-point preliminary final win against Nullawil was the first time the club had a full list of players to pick from.
“It is good to be in form at this time of year, and definitely some people will miss out, so there will be heartbreak,” O’Rourke said.
Finals experience will help the ‘Roos in the club’s efforts to claim an 11th GRFL title, with 12 of its players who took to the field last weekend playing in the 2016 decider.
Although it is six years since the club last won a premiership, Wandella still boasts grand final experience, with seven members from its second semi-final squad a part of the club’s 2012 grand final loss to Nullawil.
The fact the match is occurring at the Wandella Recreation Reserve may be of some benefit for the Bombers, who hold an 11-5 record at its home ground in the past two years.
Wandella won by 45 points when the teams last met at the venue in round 10, with the ‘Roos producing an eight-point victory at the venue in round two, 2016.
If Sperling and Grayling get on top of Ultima’s defenders, led by Luke Wilson, Jeremy Grant and Brenton Pay, then the Bombers will add a 14th premiership to its collection.
However, if Ryan Devereux and Arnold Kirby dominate in front of goal for the ‘Roos, the club will unfurl an 11th GRFL premiership flag at the start of 2018.
Matt Wilkinson and Tim Robinson will work hard to ensure this does not occur, but the result of this match will be decided in the midfield.
The duel between E.G. Hunt Medallist, Justin Robinson and Ultima’s Joshua Stone will be critical to the outcome, whilst the efforts Dylan McGrath and Brodey Farley can put in against Luke Kelson and Kirby in the ruck may swing the game the Bombers’ way.
“We’ve had good battles with Ultima this season, so we have to play consistent football that we know we can play and also helped us get to where we are now,” Grayling said.
“For us to win, we have to stop all of Ultima’s players. They have a quality set-up, and it will be up to all 21 players on Saturday to do this.”
PREDICTION: Wandella will win by 20 points.
