Can Romsey make it a perfect season? That is the question on everyone’s lips as it enters the Riddell District Football League grand final against Diggers Rest on Sunday.
The Redbacks will enter the game as red-hot favourites and Burras’ coach Shaun Sims admits “everyone on the planet will be tipping Romsey”.
The Burras, who have come from fourth on the ladder, have shown in the past three weeks that they won’t be easybeats.
They easily accounted for Sunbury Kangaroos and Rupertswood in week one and two of the finals, while they came from behind against Riddell to secure their grand final spot.
In the two matches between the Redbacks and Burras this season, the Redbacks have won both but the biggest margin was 20 points.
Only Rupo has come closer to knocking off the Redbacks.
The one thing that is for sure, the Redbacks won’t take the Burras easy.
After the last match between the two teams, Redbacks coach Dean Helmers said the Burras had the league’s best list besides their own.
The Burras look set to enter the game at almost full strength, with Brent Tuckey the only big name missing.
Tuckey hasn’t played for most of the year and another former AFL player Callum Wilson has proved the perfect replacement.
For the Redbacks, they will be hoping Sean Austin has recovered from a hamstring injury which saw him take little part in the semi-final win.
Captain Steve Burlak will play for the Redbacks following a successful appeal against his two-game suspension.
Both teams have had recent grand final experience.
The Burras lost last year’s grand final to the Bombers, while the Redbacks who won the 2011 premiership lost to the Sunbury Kangaroos in 2012.
The Burras only senior premiership glory came in 1993, when it won the RDFL division 2 premiership.
TIP
You have to tip Romsey in this case and back them to complete the perfect season. They have been too good all year and seem to be a class above the other sides. While the Redbacks have produced many dominant displays this season, don’t be surprised to see a close result.
The Burras haven’t been completely outplayed by the Redbacks in either of their games and the past three RDFL senior grand final margins are all under 10 points.
For the Burras to win, they will need everything to go right. If they can hold the Redbacks’ key forwards quiet and have their own tall forwards fire, it will be in with a chance.
The one thing the Redbacks do have against them is the pressure to complete the season undefeated.
Romsey by 9 points.
WHERE AND WHEN
Where: Romsey Park
When: Sunday, September 14
First bounce: 2.45pm
YOUR VIEW
What’s your tip? Will Romsey go all the way, or will Diggers overcome last year’s disappointment? Post a comment below.
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