After a big finals series so far, the Sapphire Coast AFL is gearing up for two big days of grand final action this weekend.
Community Football Manager for South Coast AFL, Mitch Wallis said it’s going to be all go at Berrambool Oval in Merimbula.
“It’s going to be a massive weekend of footy, it’s the biggest weekend on our calendar,” Wallis said.
The under 15’s Youth Girls will play their first ever grand final when Eden take on Bermagui from 6pm on Friday.
“It’s really good to see Eden have a strong junior team in this competition after a couple of years of no junior time, so it’s really exciting for Eden, while Bermi before the lockdown last year were the benchmark in this competition, so I’m expected a close scoreline in the Youth Girls,” Wallis said.
That game will be followed by the Men’s Reserves (Division 2) grand final under lights between a Eden and Narooma Team B from 7:15.
“Both those team are pretty clearly the best two teams in the lower division of the men’s competition so it will be interesting to see how that goes.”
All other grand finals will be played on Saturday with the Merimbula and Bermagui under 11’s to kick the dew of the grass at 8am, followed by the local derby between Pambula and Merimbula in the under 13’s.
“These competitions are going from strength to strength, most games have been decided by less than two goals all year, so anyone can win on their day.”
The Narooma Lions will take on the Merimbula Diggers in the Under 15’s boys from 10:40am Saturday.
“A surprise this season was the undefeated Diggers getting knocked off in the qualifying final by Narooma so they’ll be looking for some redemtion with this one but should be an interesting match up and I’m expecting a fast flowing game of footy.”
While the under 17’s grand final at 12:05pm sees Bermagui take on Broulee/Moruya who have their tails up after big win over Pambula in the Preliminary Final.
“Bit of a surpise across the finals series was Broulee/Moruya getting beaten by Bermi in the first qualifying final, so after being undefeated all year, they have had to make it into the grand final the hard way, so I think they’ll be looking for some redemtion this Saturday.”
Eden meet the undefeated Tathra Sea Eagles in the Sapphire Coast AFL Women’s Seniors at 1:30pm.
“Tathra have been the benchmark in the women’s competition for a number of years now, and they’ve gone through unbeaten, so it will be a massive ask of Eden.”
While the two most dominant sides throughout the men’s seniors competition Narooma Team A and Pambula will fight it out from 3pm in the final match of the day.
“It’s certainly going to be a great match, these teams hava had some great battles over the year with the last two games they’ve played being decided by less than a goal,” Wallis said.
“Both teams have strong midfields that will be trying to get on top early and I think that’s where this game will be won.”
Entry to Bermambool Oval will be (cash only) $10 per Adult and $5 for Pensioners and 10-16yr olds, Under 10’s free.
Pass outs are available for people attending Friday night and Saturday, just ask the gate staff for a ticket to come back in on Saturday.
A full canteen and bar (after the first quarter of the Womens match) will be operating, with eftpos available.
*The Sapphire Coast AFL is reminding spectators that it is a licensed event, no BYO alcohol is allowed and security and grounds management reserve the right to confiscate banned items.
For those who cannot attend, all grades grand final games will be live streamed free-of-charge with more information available at the AFL Sapphire Coast Facebook Page.
Image: Eden Whalers
