The Dunedoo Swans and Swanettes are prepared to "leave nothing in the tank" as they fly into their respective 2020 Christie and Hood Castlereagh League grand final clashes.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
For the Swanettes, this won't be their first time in a final dance and it certainly won't be their last, but captain-coach Brianna Milsom says this is something her girls have been working hard for all year.
"The girls have had to sacrifice a lot of things to commit to training and games...we have worked so hard this year," she said.
"We will have trained nine hours together as a team in the last two weeks before Saturday's game. Every single girl knows what this means and is giving it their all."
In their last grand final appearance in 2017, the Swanettes suffered a 26-14 upset to the Warren Bulldogs and since that game, "we have been riddled with 'what if'."
Up against the Baradine Magpies after suffering their one and only loss this season to them, Milsom's minor premiers know the mistakes they made and are not willing to allow them to resurface.
"This time we are leaving nothing in the tank. To be corny yet straight to the point, it would mean the world to win," she said.
"My family has been put second during league tag season for six years, and this is the same for many of the other girls. I can't describe what it would mean to lift that trophy on Saturday.
The whole town is getting behind us and our boys team who play Gilgandra Panthers in the first grade. I want this win for my team and my town.
- Dunedoo Swanettes captain-coach, Brianna Milsom
"We are confident but nervous, which is normal. Nerves mean we want to win. We have done everything we can to prepare and if we play our game we can win. We just need to focus, communicate as a team and control the ball.
"Last time we played Baradine we made silly errors and Baradine we were able to capitalise on that. We have the fitness hands down and every player knows what they need to do."
With the team's make up being made of several representative league tag and rugby league players, the Swanettes are in a strong position to dominante. They too have the likes of Annie Christensen, Hallie Hogden, and Lauren Sullivan who are all anticipated to stand out.
"I would like to mention Mathew Guan and Jack Guan who have helped coach the girls this year. They have been the driving force and have pushed us so hard. I can't captain and coach the girls by myself," Milsom said.
"We have also had Brian Johnston from Dunedoo who is a former Dragons NRL player and CEO come and run a few training sessions and show us what we need to do to control the game."
For the Swans first grade captain-coach Tim Condon a grand final win would "mean a lot", but up against Gilgandra Panthers whom the Dunedoo boys have lost to on both occasions this year means they're up for a serious challenge.
"We will have to be at our best to get the win on Saturday, but the boys are looking forward to the challenge," Condon said.
"The whole team has been playing really well for the last month and we have some strike players across the field, but I would have to say our stand out for the year would have to be our lock, Ben Thompson.
A lot of people have put a lot of effort in over the last few years just to keep the club going so to go out and win it would be really special.
- Dunedoo Swans captain-coach, Tim Condon
The last time the Swans won a grand final was in 2014 when Tom Yeo was captain-coach, and Yeo will once again feature in a final dash, this year taking part.
"We started off very slow for the first half of the season after the COVID break and weren't playing near our best football, but full credit to the boys since about round four, we have turned it around and been building nicely heading into finals," Condon said.
"It's a massive achievement to be a part of any grand final. I'm very proud of the boys' efforts this year and very happy for the Dunedoo club to have both grades, the girls and first grade into grand finals this year."
The Swans will face the Gilgandra Panthers at McGrane Oval, Gilgandra on October 10 at 3pm, while the Swanettes face the Baradine Magpies at 1pm.
A live stream of the games will be available on the Dunedoo Rugby League Club's Facebook page.