PREMIERSHIPS ON LINE
FOOTBALL: Grand finals can sometimes fall short in the excitement stakes, but there is little chance of that happening on Sunday.
Both TFL Premier division deciders feature their respective competition pacesetters and teams that excited fans all season.
In the men’s division, defending premiers Willowburn square off with young guns St Albans.
Both sides battled it out all season before Saints narrowly claimed the minor premiership.
Saints’ young line-up plays exciting attacking football, but Willowburn have the benefit of grand final experience in their side.
In the women’s grand final, Willowburn will once again look to reaffirm their status as one of if not the greatest teams in Toowoomba football history.
The Magpies will face Highfields, a side that has risen through the ranks over the past few years and proven they can match it with the best.
SUNDAY’S TFL Premier Men’s grand final is sure to be an instant classic.
Defending premiers Willowburn have the big-game experience, with all but three players of their current squad having played in a TFL grand final, and the Magpies’ new defensive structure has proven to a key factor in their recent success.
St Albans are the new kids on the block – since returning to the top division last season they have made an immediate impact.
After narrowly missing out on finals last season they have swept through the division this year claiming the minor premiership and President’s Cup and now have their sights set on the premierships.
The young Saints side are full of passion, running and goals, lots of goals.
“Their front three is the best in the competition,” Willowburn coach Jamie McMillan said.
“When they get the ball in their attacking third, it’s almost a guarantee they are going to score.
“It’s tricky, but the key really is just about limiting how much the ball gets into that front third and trying to ride out as many of their attacking waves as you can.”
Saints scored 86 goals in 21 games this season, an average of four a game, but McMillan believes his side is capable of holding them out when it matters the most.
“We changed how we defend a little while back,” he said.
“We weren’t happy with how we set up and how the games flowed, there were some issues to begin with after the change, but we’re confident now and it (the change) has paid off.
“They’re a very good side, and to be honest I’m happy to playing them in the final because it will be a great, exciting game for everyone involved especially the fans.
“I’m confident we have the experience to get the job done though.”
For St Albans coach Danny Lawson the focus is simple – keep the ball.
St Albans lost the major semi-final to Willowburn 5-4 in extra time and Lawson thought his side was guilty of not valuing possession enough.
“We didn’t keep possession of the ball well enough,” he said.
“We gave it away too much and that meant they (Willowburn) were able to control the game better than us.
“If we can control possession better than last time, I think we can win it.”
Sunday’s finals cap off a massive weekend of football with Clive Berghofer Stadium also hosting junior deciders on Saturday.
Play starts at 9am both days.