By Josh Ward.
Senior Men’s Grand Finals are finally here in the EFNL, with the Division 3 Grand Final between Donvale and Ferntree Gully set to kick things off at Jubilee Park this Saturday!
Donvale were the first to book their spot in this Saturday’s Grand Final, kicking 13 goals to one in the second semi final against the Eagles.
Senior coach Kevin Collins recently said that it had been a strong buildup for the club heading into another Grand Final appearance.
“It’s always good being in a Grand Final. The nights are longer, there’s more light, it’s a bit warmer and you know there’s only a couple of teams that are running around these days
The Eagles were able to bounce back from their defeat to Donvale with a three goal victory in a hard-fought Preliminary Final against Oakleigh District.
Senior coach Brent Kiker said he was happy about the response from his side which saw them book another matchup, this time on the biggest stage of them all, against Donvale.
“We were really happy with getting to this week, that’s what you want to do as a footy club and as a team is to have a chance.”
For Donvale, Collins believes that the experience of being in a second consecutive Grand Final could become an advantage for the side
“There’s certainly an advantage, but we tasted the fruits of success two weeks ago and they tasted it last week so it’s fresher in their minds than ours so we’ll have a team competing against who are really hungry.”
Despite it being a hotly contested game last weekend, Kiker expected nothing less from Oakleigh and believes the game will hold his side in good stead this weekend.
“(Second semi was the) first game at Ringwood for most guys, it’s such a big ground and I think we were better for it last week. I just think we used the ground a lot better.”
Collins believes that whoever applies team defence the best will be key to seeing who gets the win.
“Overall pressure right throughout the forwards and backs, team defence will probably win it and who can apply that one for the longest part of the day.”
And having gotten their hands on the footy for majority of the first half Kiker believes that if they can take advantage of the possession they have it could see them over the line
“You only get so many against them so our biggest thing will definitely be at the contest but actually converting forward entries for us.”
A Donvale win would see them win their first premiership since winning in Division 4 against Forest Hill in 2017.
Collins added that hoisting the trophy by Saturday evening would be a great reward for effort that everyone at the Donvale Football Club has put in.
“It would be an endorsement of the culture that John Giles & the committee have established at the club on and off the field.”
Victory would see the Eagles win their first premiership since their Division 4 success which also happened against Forest Hill in 2016.
And whilst it would be a great achievement Kiker believes there’s still plenty to come from his young side.
“Our Under 19s are in the Grand Final as well and there’s some real talent through there. We think that this is the start of it for us in the next four to five years and if we can pinch one this year even better.”
