Grand Final PreviewDaylight begins extending, birds chirping, smell of freshly cut grass in the air, weather begins to warm up.. ah yes Spring is in the air! Better than those things though, Spring also signifiies footy finals, and the ultimate clash - the Grand Final.
160 days since Round 1 when 10 teams went to battle, full of hope, optimisim and aspirations for the season ahead - we have finally withered that number down to 2.
Hope Valley and Pulteney.
Two clubs that made no secret of their desire to get out of D5 this season - Valleys led the charge with the appointment of Mitch Sandery as player/coach, and quickly the recruits followed. Pulteney began a little quieter, but ramped up on the recruiting as they headed towards Christmas. Both clubs building formidable squads, both clubs getting what they desired out of most of their pick ups.
Over the season, these sides have clashed on three occasions - Hope Valley lead the ledger 2-1 with the margins being 2pts, 2pts and 4pts. On each occasion the game has gone down to the last minutes - Round 8 saw a wobbling snap from 45m off the boot of Dan Williamson bounce it's way through to snatch the lead late in the last. Rd 17 saw a tough arm wrestle in wet and blustery conditions - Josh Sipek with a long range goal to hit the lead.
In the Qualifying final, Valleys couldn't put the Blues away despite peppering the goals in the last, before Pulteney went coast to coast and the ball landed in the arms of Scott-Collings who had a chance to steal the match from the Dees.
All three games have been hard fought and uncompromising and talent abundant on both sides. Hellmanns, Sandery and Duggan the big three for the Demons, but Williams and Pemble have been superb in the back half, whilst Dowling has offered plenty through the middle. Williamson and Tanczos can have their moments and impact the game.
Garang vs Brodie in the ruck will be a clash to watch - the young athletic jumper in Machok against the experienced bigger body and association medalist in Rory.
For the Blues, looking for Polec, Frick and Mattner to be most influential.
The prize is no greater tomorrow, premiership glory, eternal memories, named etched in history. 25 degrees, big ground, beautiful conditions - strap yourselves in this promises to be a classic.
Hope Valley would love nothing more than to claim it's first flag in a long time, ironically though - it's the "one less team" they needed to compete with that stands in their way.

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