History at stake in Oatlands finale

MT Pleasant and Campania are just one win away from premiership glory and will meet in the 68th grand final of the Oatlands District Football Association at Oatlands tomorrow.

The two sides finished first and second respectively, however Mt Pleasant comfortably won the second semi-final to qualify first and is aiming for its first premiership since 2014. Campania is searching for their first flag since 1963.

Mounties coach Nathan Barwick plays his 150th game for the club and leads a team which punished its opposition in recent matches and will start favourites.

Sam Cornish and Daniel Groves are two big inclusions for Mt Pleasant and will need to hit the ground running.

Wade Booth has dominated at ground level for the Mounties this year and will be difficult to stop, while Jordan Byers, small forward James Manning and Nathan Rollins have been consistent throughout the season.

Should Mt Pleasant emerge victorious, it will also earn the right to hold the Ron Bean Memorial Shield in what would be the first time the club has won a shield in 40 years.

Almost to the day in 1979, Neville Barwick — father of Nathan — led his Mounties to win the Mancey Shield in the first grand final held at the Oatlands ground, and Neville’s first premiership as coach.

Campania is a classy side and are not to be underestimated after a dominant win in the preliminary final last week.

It will be at full strength this weekend and will be led by Nathan Brown, who booted five goals in the third quarter last week to break the game open. Brown relishes the big stage and could be a match winner should he be given space to operate. Aaron Fitzpatrick and Alex Langridge should continue their good recent form. The match starts at 1.30pm; gates open 9.45am.