The Northern Football League’s two most successful teams – Heidelberg and Greensborough – will meet in the division one grand final on Saturday.
Old stager Heidelberg – in its 10th grand final in 11 years – earned a week’s rest with a win in the semi final, while Greensborough will contest its first top flight grand final in a quarter of a century.
The Tigers had plenty of turnover in the off-season, but the new group gelled together, a testament to the culture at Warringal Park. They have also beaten Greensborough each of the three times the sides have met this season, by 21 points, eight points and 15 points most recently in the semi final.
Both teams have healthy lists to choose from, and Greensborough will welcome back leading goalkicker and co-captain Tim Bongetti from suspension.
Greensborough coach Robert Hyde is also celebrating his 50th anniversary of involvement with the club.
Hyde first played as a junior in 1964 and was captain-coach of the back-to-back premierships in 1983-84.
President Russell Grubb said the club hopes to make it a special day.
“It’s amazingly exciting,” he said. “The boys have done so well and we’re very proud of them.
“I’ve got about 478 unread emails on everything from Djs to security to food to footy.
“If we can play at our best hopefully we can pinch it. Heidelberg has managed to do the right things and the right time to beat us this year but we’ve got a chance if we do things right.”
Heidelberg, of course, knows this week very well, and coach Craig Hunter said the club is proud to be in the mix once again.
“We’re really happy with what we’ve been able to achieve this year,” he said.
“It hasn’t really felt like grand final week so far, it’s been cold, wet and windy, which has been a bit of a good thing actually.”
Hunter said the grand final will be a cracking game between this year’s best teams.
“I think this will be the first of many battles between these sides over many years to come,” he said.
NORTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
GRAND FINAL
HEIDELBERG VS GREENSBOROUGH
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2.15pm
PRESTON CITY OVAL
