The wait is over, the Warrnambool and District league grand finals are here.
What a year it’s been and on Saturday the worthy football and netball premiers will be crowned.
In the senior football, the mighty Nirranda has a chance to achieve a three-peat of premierships, a feat which hasn’t occurred since 2011.
Standing in the Blues’ way is a Merrivale outfit which looks to be at the top of its game.
The Tigers knocked off the Blues in the second semi-final and will head into the showpiece event with confidence they can do so again on the biggest stage and avenge their 2023 grand final loss.
The Blues however are a polished outfit and will hope their big-game experience shines through.
In the A grade netball, just like its football counterparts, Nirranda is chasing its third consecutive flag when it takes on Kolora-Noorat.
The Blues haven’t dropped a game this year and it will take something special to prevent them holding aloft the cup.
The Power will back themselves in though and are riding a wave of momentum which could be hard to slow.
The side finished the year in fourth but after three do-or-die finals wins is a chance to clinch its first premiership since 2003.
Whatever happens, Saturday’s matches are sure to be entertaining.
Matt Hughes
Journalist
Warrnambool Standard
There are no more second chances in the Warrnambool and District league.
Two teams will battle it out in the senior football and A grade netball preliminary finals, leaving nothing in the tank as they vie for the one vacant place in their respective grand finals.
In the football, Nirranda and Russells Creek go head-to-head, with the winner to face Merrivale in the decider.
The Blues, the reigning and minor premiers, will be fired up after a loss and rarely underwhelm two games in a row.
The Creekers on the other hand, are through to their first preliminary final in more than a decade and have a golden opportunity to make a grand final for the first time since 2005.
The ledger is square at one win each between the two teams this year.
In the A grade netball, Allansford and Kolora-Noorat face off for the opportunity to play Nirranda in the grand final.
The Cats have been the big improvers this year under new playing-coach Jess Rohan and have won both encounters between the two sides.
The Power however are riding the high of consecutive finals victories and will be full of belief that they can spring another upset.
The football and netball contests should make for compelling viewing with no teams a certainty to triumph.
Matt Hughes
Journalist
Warrnambool Standard
Four teams remain in the Warrnambool and District league senior football and A grade netball competitions ahead of a must-watch second weekend of finals.
In the senior football, minor premier Nirranda will be feeling refreshed after a week off ahead of its second semi-final clash with Merrivale.
The Tigers will view themselves a chance to topple the Blues following their commanding 84-point triumph against Russells Creek in the qualifying final.
On Sunday, Allansford will be riding a high after a drought-breaking finals win when it takes on the Creekers in the first semi-final.
The Creekers will need to bounce back quickly and could be helped by the returns of some key players.
In the A grade netball, undefeated Nirranda has a chance to advance to another grand final when it plays Allansford in the second semi-final.
The Blues have defeated the Cats both times this year, however the Cats will back themselves to spring an upset in the finals arena.
In the first semi-final, the Tigers will fancy their chances of progressing against Kolora-Noorat.
The Power shouldn’t be underestimated though and will be full of confidence after a memorable elimination final win against Timboon Demons.
Matt Hughes
Journalist
Warrnambool Standard