Premiership glory awaits North West teams
Image courtesy of Inverell Saints Media.
The 2019 Greater Bank AFL North West Season concludes this Saturday, with all four matches being hosted at Wolseley Oval, Gunnedah.
In a rematch of the 2017 Men’s Grand Final, Gunnedah take on the New England Nomads at 2:50pm, in what promises to be a tough encounter. The Nomads shocked Minor Premiers, Inverell in last week’s preliminary final, and will be confident in their ability to produce another upset on Saturday.
The Nomads have reinvigorated their list through young stars such as Dylan Moore and Morgan Dunn, who both hit the scoreboard last week, and have a strong belief in the footy they are playing.
Gunnedah at home though is a tough assignment for any team, and with midfield class such as Andrew George, Jacob Spackman and Ben Maher, they will go into the game as favourites to claim their second title in three years.
At 1pm, the Women’s Grand Final takes place, where minor premiers, Inverell take on the Tamworth Kangaroos.
The Saints women will go through the season undefeated if they get across the line on Saturday, and look to atone for their Grand Final loss against the Roos last year.
The last meeting between these two teams saw the Saints scrape home by one-point, and another tough encounter is expected. Kangaroos Vice Captain, Emily Southwell is confident her team can cause an upset.
“We’re aiming for the first back-to-back Women’s Premiership in AFL North West history and I believe the Roo Girls and the experienced coaching team have it in them to seal the deal,” said Southwell.
In the Under 17s, the rivalry continues at 10:45am between Inverell and Moree. Both sides have had wins over the other during the season, with the most recent being a 23-point win to the Saints a fortnight ago. In that encounter, Riley Thom kicked five majors, but the Suns have fire power of the own, with League Best and Fairest, Daniel Brown, and Nick Fisher slotting eight goals each last week against the Roosters.
The inaugural Under 14s Grand Final kicks off the day at 9am, where the Inverell Saints face-off with the Glen Innes Celts. Whilst Inverell go in as heavy favourites, it is remarkable to think that the Celts – in their very first year – could be taking home some silverware.
Armed with the promise from Club President, Aaron Harvey, that he would wear a kilt on Grand Final day if the team made it, the Celts snuck home against the Roosters last week by five points.
“The whole Celts club is excited to be involved in the Grand Final on Saturday and we are certainly looking forward to the challenge of taking on the Inverell Saints Under 14s,” said Harvey.
“Regardless of the result I am very pleased of the season that these guys have had and we, as a team and club, can come away with our heads held high in our first season.”
AFL North West NSW wishes to all teams and umpires for a great day of footy in Gunnedah this Saturday.
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