WDFNL GF, The Standard previews the 2023 A grade, senior footy deciders - Sept 8, 2023
Warrnambool Standard sports journalists Meg Saultry and Justine McCullash-Beasy preview the 2023 Warrnambool and District league A grade and senior football grand finals.
Transcript
00:00 Hello and welcome to Warrnambool District League Grand Final week here in the South West.
00:06 Obviously today the weather is atrocious.
00:08 We are hoping tomorrow is going to bring something a bit better for the footballers and netballers
00:12 who are taking on their shot at Premiership glory at Read Oval tomorrow, Meg.
00:18 Obviously we start with the A-grade netball where we have Maryvale taking on Miranda,
00:24 two powerhouses of the competition.
00:26 What are you expecting?
00:28 I think it's going to be another great battle.
00:30 They are two teams that have come up against each other in the last couple of Grand Finals.
00:34 They know a lot about each other, having played a lot of games since 2019.
00:44 They both got one Premiership each.
00:47 I know the first one was a thriller.
00:50 That was one goal.
00:52 And then Miranda obviously getting it done last year.
00:56 Obviously two powerhouses as we know.
00:58 Maryvale has probably had the upper hand on Miranda this season,
01:02 breaking their winning streak and what not.
01:05 If you had to pick a player from each side, Meg,
01:07 who would you say could be the game changer for either the Blues or the Tigers?
01:12 Definitely I think Miranda would have to be Joe Couch.
01:16 She's such a dominant player the past couple of seasons.
01:20 She controls the midcourt.
01:23 She's going to have a tough time going up against Alicia Sobey,
01:27 who is just as good through that midcourt.
01:31 But I would maybe say Sobey as well.
01:37 I guess that battle is going to be really interesting to see who can control the midcourt.
01:42 Obviously Alicia has said she expects this to be her final game.
01:46 She's 39.
01:47 But her husband, Joss, who's coaching Maryvale on the footy,
01:50 doesn't believe she will hang up her netball bib just yet.
01:54 So we'll wait and see what happens there.
01:56 I think that's going to potentially give Maryvale a little bit more added motivation.
02:02 There's such a good vibe at the club this year around how Alicia has coached this team.
02:12 She's definitely put a lot of emphasis on fun and creating that bond at the club.
02:18 So I definitely think that they're going to be playing for her.
02:22 And then in the footy we've got the same sides.
02:24 We've got Maryvale and Miranda again.
02:26 The Tigers have probably been the number one seed all year.
02:29 Had a bit of a slip-up against the Blues in the second semi-final.
02:34 I guess a lot hinders on whether star rockman Manny Sandow will get up for the Tigers.
02:40 Obviously battling a bit of a leg complaint, didn't play in the prelim.
02:44 What are your thoughts, Meg, on how you reckon this game will go?
02:47 This one's going to be really tight.
02:49 I think the first time they matched up Maryvale was the obvious winner.
02:57 I think it was 50 points in the end.
02:59 But the Blues had a slower start to the year.
03:03 I spoke to their captain Regan after round five.
03:07 They were just starting to get some stuff going together.
03:10 He thought we're definitely going to be better by the end of the season.
03:13 They've shown that and they've got that momentum and everyone on build at the right time.
03:21 I definitely think they can do damage.
03:24 They're going to come in with a bit more experience on grand final day than the Tigers.
03:31 They have a few players in there who have played in a flag.
03:34 I know their captain Jack Leeson was in that 2014 flag.
03:39 There were some experienced guys but it will be interesting to see who does battle in the mind
03:47 and who can really focus and get the job done.
03:50 We'll wait and see. Wait for a big day tomorrow.
03:54 All starting from 8.30am. We've got the under 13s.
03:57 Crick and Collegians. First time there's ever been an under 13 football game for premierships in the District League.
04:03 That will be exciting for those young kids.
04:06 Another cool fact is Timboon Demons.
04:09 We know they've struggled on field with the seniors in recent years
04:12 but have managed to get their under 18s and under 15s both in grand finals.
04:15 That's a feather in their cap.
04:18 Be sure to check out standard.net.au throughout the day for live coverage of all the grand finals.
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