Today	Sat
Clear 22°/ 9°	Partly Cloudy 20°/ 7°

← Phantoms complete perfect State League season Lochie shines in AFL finals advertising campaign →

Tight, tense SFL Grand Final on the cards

Posted on September 23, 2011

GRAND FINAL FEVER: Irymple and Robinvale will do battle for the 2011 Sunraysia Football League flag for the second consecutive year tomorrow afternoon, with either team capable of walking out victors. This picture, taken at last year’s Grand Final, provides a taste of things to come, with local football enthusiasts anticipating a tight and engaging contest.

TOMORROW’S Sunraysia Football League Grand Final will offer no surprises for local footy fans, with the two sides many tipped to be fighting it out for the 2011 premiership to line up in the final game of the year.

In a rematch of last year’s Grand Final – which was won by Robinvale – Irymple and the Eagles will go head-to-head for the premiership, with Robinvale looking to make it back-to-back premierships, and Irymple looking to cap off a sensational season with its first flag since 2006.

It’s a contest that many are tipping will go down to the wire, with nothing separating the two teams throughout the season.

Evenly matched across the ground, the Eagles and Swallows have a two-all record against one another this year, which includes Robinvale’s second semi-final victory over the Swallows two weeks ago.

Boasting incredible on-ball brigades – capable of turning the game in an instant – this game will be won based on which team can capitalise on midfield dominance, with the likes of Irymple’s Zach Peake, Ryan Dowdy and Nic Coghlan, and Robinvale’s Shannon Motlop and Troy Moncur to be on the receiving end of plenty of footy.

Irymple coach, David Byrnes, and Robinvale coach, Troy Moncur, are looking forward to the contest, saying their respective teams were ready and raring to go leading into last night’s final training runs.

“Everyone is really looking forward to it,” David said. “It’s going to be a fantastic game of footy, and something we are excited to be a part of.

“We know that we’re coming up against an extremely tight unit in Robinvale, and a really good footy side, and the team is excited to take up that challenge, and hopefully turn around last year’s loss.”

Troy said his team was similarly looking forward to the contest, with close to 10 players to be lining up in their fourth straight Grand Final.

“We have been very fortunate to have played in three Grand Finals prior to this week,” he said. “And we’re looking forward to doing it all again, and hopefully with the same winning result as last year.”

Both teams will go into this weekend’s Grand Final virtually injury free, with David himself the only injury concern for the Swallows.

“I managed to break my hand last week against Wentworth, but I’m still confident I will get up and play,” he said.

“Ryan Dowdy was also a concern after last week’s game with a corked forearm, but he has also pulled up really well, and I’m confident we’ll be at full strength.”

Troy said his team’s week off had come at the right time, with Robinvale fully fit ahead of the biggest game of the year.

“We went into that second semi-final against Irymple determined to have the week off,” he said.

“It’s done us the world of good, and everyone is in great condition.”

David said the key to his side’s success was to shut down the Eagles game style, with every member of his team needing to play their role.

“We have strongly believed all year that no individual wins a game of footy,” he said. “If we play our team style, and everyone plays their role, then we know we can win.”

Troy said it was a game that would be won in the middle, with his side to also focus on limiting the impact of the Swallows’ star players Brad Eaton, Donato DeAngelis, and Aaron Baynes.

“Donato is their best player in my opinion, and is the heart and soul of the club,” he said.

“Shutting those three down, while also executing our game plans, is the key for us.”

Both coaches agreed that a love/hate relationship had formed between the two clubs since last year’s Grand Final, with a tight, scrappy affair forecast.

All of the SFL action will take place at Irymple’s Henshilwood Oval from 9.30am, with the Under 18’s clash between South Mildura and Mildura to take place.

The Reserves Grand Final between South Mildura and Robinvale will follow at 12pm, with the main match to get underway from 2.35pm.

Tweet This Post Post to Facebook