After a whole season of Picola District Football League action, four clubs remain, ready to battle it out this weekend for a place in the grand final.
Two mouthwatering preliminary finals are pencilled in for the penultimate round of action, with Saturday’s contest featuring Tungamah and Strathmerton in Rennie.
The first preliminary final is an intriguing match-up with both sides full of talent.
When the two sides met in round 13, the Bears picked up an 11-point win and Tungamah coach Xavier Stevenson said his side was shaping up well for this weekend’s clash.
“We’re very excited for this weekend, it’s obviously the biggest game of the year,” Stevenson said.
“Last time we played them it was a pretty highly-contested game and we expect much of the same this weekend.”
Fresh from a weekend off, the Bears welcome Stevenson back into the line-up, with the bye providing plenty of time to rest following the side’s extra-time qualifying final win over Katunga.
Strathmerton, on the other hand, had to come from behind to beat Katamatite last week.
With plenty of talent on both sides, Stevenson was wary of the influence some of the league’s brightest talents might have.
“It’s going to be our job to make sure that we optimise our good players to the best of their ability and to ensure that we can navigate their better players as well and make sure they don’t have as much influence on the game.”
Saturday’s game in Rennie starts at 2.05pm.
On Sunday, supporters will be treated to another exciting contest between Waaia and Katunga.
Arch-rivals on the field, the Bombers need to be wary of a Swans side in good form, with Katunga coming close to defeating Tungamah and downing Katandra last week.
Waaia coach Mark Meyland said his side would be looking to stop the Swans from starting well on the scoreboard.
“I’ve seen their last two games and they’ve been impressive,” Meyland said.
“We’ll try and make sure we’re the ones with the ball in hand.”
Meyland thought Katunga was unlucky to fall to Tungamah in the qualifying final, with the Swans boasting talent across the park and spreading the opposition quite well.
He said despite having a full list of players available, “winning form is good form” and the side would remain much the same as recent weeks.
“We’ll trust our system, it’s been good all year,” he said.
Sunday’s game in Tocumwal kicks off at 2.05pm.