ANOTHER year of Golden Rivers football has reached its pinnacle, with Ultima and Hay set to do battle in tomorrow’s Grand Final.
The Lions are chasing their first premiership since 1995, while the Roos are hoping to complete the ultimate turnaround from two consecutive last place finishes.
The Roos’ recruitment over the off-season has done wonders for their side, with the additions bringing immediate positive change.
Roos coach Kyle Symons said that he wasn’t expecting such immediate success earlier in the year.
“I expected us to be a bit slow at the start of the year because we had so many guys coming in,” he said.
“But all the guys have clicked really well, which has been really pleasing.”
Ultima were granted the easier route, finishing the season atop the ladder and defeating Moulamein in their semi-final.
Hay have looked impressive in both of their finals matches, kicking it off with a big win against Macorna in week one.
The Lions’ then claimed the scalp of the more-favoured Moulamein in the preliminary final, matching the Swans’ physicality when it mattered most.
Hay’s coach Mick Cattanach said the Hay community had rallied following the preliminary final success.
“It’s been a really exciting week for the town out here, everyone has been getting around us,” he said.
“There’s a real determination across the playing group, I think all of the blokes are aware that the job isn’t done yet.
“We are coming into this game full of belief, and I think that is being felt across the community as well.”
Hay will also carry the confidence of being the only team to defeat Ultima this season.
The 21-point Round 11 loss has been the only blemish on the otherwise perfect run for the Roos.
Key forward Declan Watson starred for the Lions that day, kicking a bag of eight.
But Ultima were able to do what many other teams have been unable to do this season, having kept Watson goalless in their Round 7 meeting.
Their coach Kyle Symons said they would need another strong defensive effort.
“We play a real team defence. Obviously, we’ve got our match-ups, but where we can, we really try and help out and get in front of the opposition forwards,” Symons said.
“We just want to chance our arm a little bit to try and cut the footy off before it gets in to their forwards.”
Full back Martyn Cooper will likely get the job on Watson and will be supported by mobile marking defender Caillum Brady.
Ultima’s backline has been a standout this season, ceded 845 points – 180 points less than the next best side, Hay.
Getting on top of the midfield battle will also be key in minimising the impact of leading forwards like Watson.
The inlcusion of E.G. Hunt Medal runner-up Thomas Bull will bolster Ultima’s midfield, with their coach eager to welcome Bull back to the side.
“Tom’s grown up around here, and played all of his football at the club,” he said.
“We know he’s going to go out there and have a crack for us, that’s for sure.”
The inclusion will take some of the burden from Mitchell Seton-Stewart and Jake Foster.
Foster joining the side from Mallee Eagles with ruckman Luke Doolan, whose tap work has been invaluable.
Foster and Hay midfielder Will Clark tied for third place on 17 votes in the medal tally, with the pair set to go head-to-head in the middle of the park.
Clark has been in impressive form, especially so in the preliminary final kicking four goals and winning a ton of hard ball.
He will be one of the main threats to Ultima who will also need to be aware of the youthful, hard running midfield group led by Fergus and Jack Cattanach.
Hay’s coach said the side his side had found a strong balance of youth and experience.
“It’s really nice, I think it gives us a really good mix of guys,” Cattanach said.
“Within the side, there’s probably three of four blokes who have captain or coaches at other clubs, so we have this massive experience of guys who understand what it means to be successful.
“We’ve had a really good bunch of juniors come through over the last six or seven years, and it’s just a fantastic feeling to see them all doing so well.
“So we also have that mix of youth who don’t know what it’s like to fail, and who are just happy to have a crack.”
Cattanach was under no illusions to who would be going into the Grand Final as favourites.
“We just see Ultima as the ‘Ultimate team,’ they’re very team oriented, and they do the little things really well which shows in how well they stop oppositions scoring,” he said.
“They’re very disciplined, they don’t like making mistakes.”
Ultima’s coach expects Hay to be chasing the hard ball.
“They’ll be physical, I’d imagine, right from the jump,” Symons said.
“They’ll try and get under their skin a little bit early, so we’ll try and prepare for that, but I think they’ll be hungry.”
KEY PLAYERS:
HAY – WILL CLARK: The classy Lions midfielder has taken his game up a notch this finals series, tearing the preliminary final apart with an impressive all-around performance. Clark has the strength to win the inside ball, as well as the speed to burn his opponent with pace. Coupled with his ability to impact the scoreboard from midfield, Ultima will need to pay close attention to Clark.
ULTIMA – JAKE FOSTER: In his first season at the Roos, Jake Foster has become an integral part of Ultima’s midfield. A top-three finish in the E.G. Hunt Medal showed his importance in a strengthened Ultima side. Has the ability to burst through packs and impressive field kicking skills, as well as the strength to take up a forward role when called on.
