TOMORROW’S battle for the top prize in Central Murray football will be a battle of David v Goliath proportions as the Demons return to the grand final for the first time in 15 years.
They take on the giant Kerang who have appeared in the past nine grand finals for five flags.
The ledger for 2016 is even. Nyah Nyah West United scored a 29-point victory back in round five, a result which rocked the CMFNL competition, before the Blues returned serve with a 22-point win later in the year.
Put simply: the pressure is on both sides to deliver tomorrow with a no holds barred attitude needed as the spirited Kerang and Nyah Nyah West United armies march into Swan Hill from opposing directions with one goal; to win.
There are many sub plots to this mouthwatering contest with Kerang’s Troy Coates playing alongside brother Matt in his 200th game, Blues juniors Mitch Booth and Josh Nitschke making their first senior grand final appearances and Nyah Nyah West United coach Matt Campbell playing with his idol, Darryl White, and brother Joel in the decider.
No matter which way you look at this one — it will be a day brimming with history.
Kerang coach Troy Coates told The Guardian his side was not going to go into the match overly confident, despite playing for their fifth flag in a row.
“We were in this spot in 2006-09 and got embarrassed going in too confident,” he said.
“We have been there before, we know what to expect and hopefully we will stick with our game plan.
“The Demons are a quality side. Matty Campbell has done a fantastic job and we need to make sure we pay them respect or they will just hurt us.”
While Kerang remains wary of the Demons, the Nyah Nyah West United camp is brimming with joy after qualifying for their first grand final in 15 years.
But to get there, they had to do it tough against both Woorinen and Koondrook Barham over the past three weeks.
Campbell said his side was gaining confidence from the wins and would look to continue its good form tomorrow.
“Yeah, we have had two really good wins, tight wins over quality sides,” he said.
“We go into the game quietly confident, we are 1-1 and any side you are against in a grand final, you want to have beaten them earlier in the year.
“It isn’t the be all and end all but it will give us some confidence.
“I think we need to have our pressure up and withstand their pressure. We forced Koondrook Barham into some fumbles, but on the flip side, they pressured us and they scored goals.
“Kerang have some quality forwards over and you have a few blokes who could drop in.
“The locals embraced us coming in as recruits, and it has become a club we all love… normally you stay for a few years but we have only been here for the year and have the passion for the club. It is special.”
The key battle tomorrow will be the Kerang forwards taking on the Demons’ backline.
The Nyah Nyah West United defence was courageous when the game was on the line in last weekend’s epic five-point win against Koondrook Barham in the preliminary final.
If the Blues get their big boys working, it could be a long day at the office for the Demons.
But both sides have well and truly proved on any given day they can beat anyone, and can be beaten.
