Grand Final time is here! 10-teams, 22-weeks, 95-matches and we are down to the final two sides in each grade. The reason why we all play and love this game, to taste success on the final day - an experience some never get to feel! 66-blokes will be happy on Saturday evening, 66-will be sad.
League
Canning (2nd) vs Quinns District (1st)
Round 7 - Canning 10.7.67 def by Quinns District 13.10.88
Round 16 - Quinns District 13.13.91 def Canning 9.15.69
Semi Final - Quinns District 7.12.54 def by Canning 11.7.73
The final dance of the C2 League competition. The record this season stands at 2-1 in favour of the almighty Bulls outfit. After an 18-0 season, many of us expected Quinns to waltz through the finals undefeated and claim the flag. Two weeks ago saw us all sit up and take notice as the Tigers defeated Quinns for the first spot in the Grand Final. Perhaps the Bulls, too, expected to waltz through, and maybe the loss was a wake up call and they realised that any team, on any given day can beat anyone - such is the beauty of our game!
Quinns are a well rounded side, they deserve the flag after such a great season. They have very few passengers and aren't weak in any area over the field. Fast, strong and skillful.
Canning are the most experienced side in the competition. They are strong around the footy and make good decisions with the ball. Perhaps one weakness is their lack of speed. Canning have had a nightmare in the past few finals campaigns and they will be hoping this is their year to make amends.
Saturdays forecast shows a temperature of 17, with a high chance of rain. I have seen both teams play in the rain, and it didn't seem to stop them giving us a hiding on either occasion. For me, Quinns skills in the wet were slightly better.
Gosnells Oval is big. Quinns wouldn't have played there often. Canning will have the advantage here as they have a long history here, through the Sunday League and C2 last season.
This will be a cracker of a game and I hope the Tigers can get up as I have always loved the underdog in a GF. But, my head says Quinns will win in a close one.
Reserves
Quinns (1st) vs Warnbro (2nd)
Round 9 - Warnbro 14.11.95 def Quinns District 6.10.46
Round 18 - Quinns District 14.9.93 def Warnbro 5.5.35
The C2 Reserves competition again sees the two best sides playing off for the flag! With one relatively easy win a piece during the season, this shapes as an intriguing contest.
Quinns have been the best side all year and should come into this game as favourites. I haven't seen much of them, but can imagine with such a strong League side, they would have good depth and you don't win a Minor Premiership if you're not a good side.
Warnbro, after a hiccup in the first week of the finals have bounced back to make sure they have a chance at the glory we all chase. With their League side knocked out early, I can imagine they have had a few 'ins' since that loss to Canning a few weeks ago.
Both of these sides wouldn't have played at Gosnells Oval all too often so there will be no advantage.
I see Quinns as the favourites here, and rightly so... but as mentioned above, I will be going for the underdog! My head also tells me Warnbro are a big chance with their League side not playing. I will tip them by a couple of goals.
Laurie Keene Colts
Canning Vale (2nd) vs Bassendean (5th)
Round 2 - Canning Vale 13.12.90 def Bassendean 10.4.64
Round 11 - Bassendean 5.19.49 def by Canning Vale 10.6.66
Perhaps the most interesting fixture of them all - the Final of the Laurie Keene Colts Competition. With the ledger standing at 2-0 in favour of the Cougar Cubs, it could easily have been 1-1 with an inaccurate Bassendean costing themselves the game. However, that was way back in Round 11, and the two teams have not matched up since.
80% of the Cougar Cubs have taken all before them in their first season outside junior footy. A fantastic result for us as a club and regardless of the result this Saturday, we are tremendously proud of the way they have gone about their footy and stepped up this season. There will be lots of pressure on them as we aim for 3-Flags from 3-Grand Finals as a club. Skillful and fast, most teams have struggled to combat the speed in which they move the ball. With the League side not making finals, there have been a couple of big-bodied additions into the side which has helped as well.
Same goes for Bassendean, regardless of the result, I am sure ACE and the Bassendean folk are immensely proud of their Colts coming from 5th to have a chance at back-to-back flags in the LK Colts competition. From the two games I have watched of Bassendean, they have matched up well with the Cougars. They have speed and skill as well and a few big bodies over the footy. The addition of Yarran is a massive one - I hear he kicked 7-goals last week in a dominant display against the Minor Premiers.
Gosnells Oval will be unfamiliar to both sides as regardless of the close-proximity to Canning Vale, the Cubs would not have played there too often as the Junior set-ups are under different WAFL affiliates. Basssendean will be on a similar page, maybe a few games last year when Gosnells were in C2.
It is obvious who I am going for... I live and breath the Canning Vale club and hope they bring this one home. Either way, after a long season, I am looking forward to a massive weekend with my boys!!
As always, gentlemen. All the best, good luck to those playing and I hope everyone enjoys an inebriated, but safe Silly Sunday/Mad Monday! It has been a pleasure this season and I commend all 10-sides on their conduct this season.
The next six-months will see me at second gripper in the whites!
Till next season.... Loves-A-Goal.
