By Josh Ward.
The Kilsyth Cougars and Surrey Park Panthers will battle it out at East Ringwood for the Division 4 premiership in the second senior men’s Grand Final of 2023.
Kilsyth were the first side to book their spot in the big dance after defeating Surrey by two straight kicks in the Second Semi Final a week and a half ago.
Senior coach Simon Caldwell recently said that it had been an exciting buildup having trained hard as well as seeing the women’s side lay hands on their first premiership.
“Just being part of that (premiership) has been a good bit of preparation in going ‘this is what it’s all about’. Nothing changes for us this week, just a normal Tuesday/Thursday night.”
A five goal to one final quarter in the preliminary final against Scoresby saw the Panthers lock in a fifth matchup of the year with Kilsyth on the big stage.
Senior playing coach James Kenworthy said the side is excited about the opportunity to play off in their second consecutive Grand Final.
“This is what we play footy for, love September action. You look at Sunday (it’s) perfect weather so puts on for a great spectacle.”
Having had that extra week off Caldwell said that it would do the side a world of good after a gruelling second semi against the Panthers.
“We had a few sore boys afterwards and a few crook as well. We got to Tuesday and there were five or six blokes that couldn’t because they were generally too crook.”
From a Surrey perspective having gone on a similar run that they did last year to the Grand Final Kenworthy believes the experience will hold the side in good stead.
“Especially as well losing one all the hurt that all the players went through. Everyone’s got a pretty good fire in the belly to turn that result around so I’m expecting a really good show out.”
Whilst there’s many factors that are key if Kilsyth are to get the final win of 2023 Caldwell believes that matching Surrey’s run and carry will be the biggest key of them all.
“I know our guys are begging for some dry weather and a good ground. People look at us and think of the bigger bodies, a couple of our midfielders are pretty quick on the outside as well.”
Kenworthy added that matching it with the talented Cougars midfield would be key in their chances of winning.
“You look at Kilsyth and you compare them to Silvan, their big strengths were their midfield. Definitely in and around the contest all day will be crucial to see who wins overall.”
Victory on Sunday would see the Cougars win their first premiership since 1995, with most of the playing group having not played in a premiership.
Caldwell added that it would mean a lot for both the club and the playing group to win the premiership.
“Especially a couple of the older players, you don’t know how many years they have left, whether there’s anymore after this or only one more you don’t know. It’s big for the club as well with what we’ve got going on.”
A Surrey Park win would mean the club picks up their first ever senior premiership in the club’s 28 year history.
And having not picked up that elusive senior premiership for the club Kenworthy said it’d be special to lift the trophy this weekend.
“19s are through to the Granny the following week, we’ve got five junior teams on the same Sunday in Grand Finals. Depending on all the results it’ll be quite a nice evening to celebrate at the club.”
