by Rob Popplestone
Just 120 minutes of football this Saturday afternoon will determine if Newborough or Fish Creek are the 2023 Mid Gippsland football premiers.
For some players, it will be their first premiership. For others, it will be their last.
What is guaranteed is that the moment will be forever remembered by players and coaches, supporters and volunteers alike.
Grand final:
Newborough v Fish Creek
Venue: Morwell East
Only a fortnight ago, Newborough managed to hold off a fast finishing and physical Fish Creek side by just five points. In doing so, the Bulldogs became the first club to lock in their position for a grand final berth.
On the weekend, Fish Creek rebounded from that same defeat with an impressive and ruthless win over Thorpdale.
Both teams feel as though they are ready for the grand final on Saturday.
Newborough coach Craig Skinner said the past week was about recovery and preparation.
After getting a good look at the "newer, more expensive" version of Fish Creek from their round two encounter, Skinner said they have experience down back, bulked up midfield talent and an in-form forward line.
"They got a bruise free run into the grand final, so it will be a shootout, with the team who shoots straight with the most to celebrate," Skinner said.
"At this stage, we can only see one change on the bigger Morwell East stage and expect to have more space to run with Mitchell and Wheildon training like caged lions and Josh Hecker ready to launch after missing the semi with concussion at work."
"Our midfield were beaten last time we played for the first time all year, so it has been difficult to hold Pat Charles and Liam Flahavin from over training," he added. "Our backline have been having secret meetings, Hayden Prestige has gone in football analysis mode, Jack Robbo rings me daily for footy updates and Jake Bowden has become our opposition analyst, so I feel like we are ready and couldn't be happier playing the best challenger."
"We were here last year and we are different people for the experience," Skinner said. "The feeling around the club is different and the way we will play will be different, the opposition is different. Expecting a great game and a different result come Saturday night."
There were many physical clashes between these two sides in the second semi final. And, there is no reason to think the same won't play a part on the weekend.
There will be nowhere to hide from either side, and you wouldn't expect any player to be wanting anything other than being in the middle of the action anyway.
The players will be under pressure, as will the umpires whose reputations are also affected by the performances in the big games.
Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker said it was an exciting week for the whole club, with a few netball teams in grand finals as well, predicting "the town will be buzzing".
"We gained a lot of confidence from our previous encounter with Newborough," Walker said. "Although the result didn't go our way that day, we showed we can mix it with the best."
"Momentum is a big thing in finals and I feel we gained a lot of that from the prelim final," he added. "We are 100 per cent in."
Newborough are yet to taste defeat this season, a draw earlier in the year as close as they have come. This means there is potential for the Bulldogs to be both premiers and champions in a year in which the competition has never been more even.
Last time the teams met:
Round two (at Fish Creek): Newborough 17.6-108 defeated Fish Creek 4.6-30.
What the coaches said:
Craig Skinner, Newborough: "To travel to Fish Creek and come home with four points is a victory. To do it with good players missing, is a win for the club. Was very impressed with how we moved the ball Saturday and the attitude we took into the game."
Jarrod Walker, Fish Creek: "Tough day at the office for us today. Showed glimpses of what we can do, but a well-drilled Newborough proved too strong."
Second semi final: Newborough 9.6-60 defeated Fish Creek 7.13-55.
What the coaches said:
Craig Skinner, Newborough: "Was the most contested game we have had for the year. Took a long time to get clean position and, when we felt like the game was on our terms, Fish Creek denied us the ball and won most of the 50/50 contests in the last quarter. We had to be clinical to not allow any decisions or momentum to continue going the same direction. Although we struggled for winners on the day, Peter 'Jibba' Ainsworth was our best attack on the ball and kept us in the game on more than one occasion."
Jarrod Walker, Fish Creek: "Great game of footy. Not sure what it looked like from the crowd, but it was a cracking game to be playing in. Momentum swings all day and, at times, looked like both sides could have run away with it. Great atmosphere and what finals football is all about. Would have been great to get the win, but will need to butter up and get prepared for next week. Gained a lot of belief from today and can't wait for the next challenge ahead."
Opposition coach tips:
The Mid Gippsland coaches have had their say on Saturday's grand final between Newborough and Fish Creek.
Tony Giardina - Boolarra: "My tip is Newborough just, but Fishy have been playing some really exciting footy. Newborough have been the best side all year by a bit, so should lift for the occasion after a scare with Fishy two weeks ago."
Jack Weston - Toora: "Will be an interesting game. Fish Creek in a tight one; Blaine Coates best on ground."
Mike Santo - Hill End: "I think it's a fairly even battle. I think the Dogs have more speed and better forward play, but I think Fishy are a more physical team and play on the edge of what's within the rules. I think Mitchell and Wheeldon will be the difference. Dogs by three goals."
Sam Davies - Foster: "Newborough by 31; Joel Mitchell kicks six."
Nathan Allen - MDU: "Newborough have been the benchmark all year, but Fish Creek are peaking at the right time and have a lot of momentum going into this Saturday. Weather looks perfect and I am looking forward to a cracking game."
Paul Henry - Morwell East: "I know the weeks off can be good for recovery. But, I think if Fish Creek have their best team in, they can get over the line in a tight one."
Daniel Taylor - Yinnar: "Newborough are clearly the best team we played this season, but to be fair both times we played Fishy it was heavy conditions. For me, Fishy have the more dominant midfield but Newborough have more fire power up forward. Genuine flip of the coin this one. I'll go Newborough by eight points with Joel Mitchell best on ground from Saturday afternoon right through to Tuesday."
Jason Winderlich - Thorpdale: "Should be a great grand final. Across the season, Newborough and Fish Creek were the two best teams that we faced. After the weekend, I probably have Fish Creek just in front, but the nice weather will also suit the Dogs' slick ball movement. Dogs are also going to be fresh after another week off. The key for them will be to match it with Fish Creek in the contest early."
Troy Hemming - Tarwin: "Fish Creek by four points. It's very hard to go undefeated all year. Fish Creek have won a lot of grand finals. It will go down to the wire and have plenty of hardball gets."
Chris Verboon - Stony Creek: "Both games against Fish Creek were tough throughout the year for us. I think their midfield will be too strong for Newborough. I am tipping Fish Creek by 33 points."
Peter Mongta - Mirboo North: "It will be hard to go past the team that has clearly been the best team in the competition. Newborough have such an even spread of talent and they move the ball with speed, so controlled footy will be key to stopping their manic style of play. Fish Creek, on the other hand, have a good mix of quality season campaigners who would have walked away from their last encounter and learnt a lot. It's going to be close right until the end but I'm tipping Newborough to kick away late to win by 14 points."