It’s finally here, the day we’ve all been waiting for.
Five months of compelling Warrnambool and District league action comes down to this.
The stage is set for two blockbuster grand finals in A-grade netball and senior football.
In the A-grade netball, Merrivale is trying to end a dynasty.
The Tigers are hunting their first premiership since 2019 and come up against a Nirranda side which has won the past three flags.
The sides met two weeks ago, with the Tigers handing the Blues their first loss since 2023.
This one could go down to the wire.
In the senior footy, Allansford is out to win its first premiership since 1987.
Tim Nowell’s players have the belief they can do it, but to do so they will need to beat one of the most successful teams of the modern era.
Nirranda is the three-time reigning premier and would love nothing more to make it four flags in a row.
The Cats have enjoyed a week off, while the Blues are coming off three consecutive cut-throat finals.
Matt Hughes
Journalist
The Standard
Premierships are hard to win and grand finals are hard to make.
Allansford is celebrating after making its first Warrnambool and District league senior football decider in 21 years.
The Tim Nowell-coached Cats clawed a seven-point victory against minor premier Merrivale in the second semi-final at Davidson Oval on Saturday, August 30.
Allansford now awaits the winner of the preliminary final between the Tigers and reigning premier Nirranda at Reid Oval on Saturday, September 6.
The Blues advanced after defeating Russells Creek in the first semi-final.
In A-grade netball, Merrivale surprised the previously-unbeaten Nirranda in the second semi-final to book a direct passage to the grand final.
The two sides have enjoyed a strong rivalry in recent seasons and could yet meet again in the decider.
The Blues, who were without star player Steph Townsend against the Tigers, will now take on Allansford, which defeated Dennington in the first semi-final, in the preliminary final stage.
Justine McCullagh-Beasy
The Standard
Sport Journalist