TWO sides with their own destinies to write and feel-good stories to fulfil this Saturday will slog it out for Division 3’s Holy Grail.
One is after redemption after falling at the final hurdle last year, while the other is out to climb its way back into Division 2 where it reigned supreme in season 2012.
For Reservoir, the motivational fire that has burnt throughout the core of the group since last September’s grand final loss has driven the Mustangs all season.
Reservoir senior coach, Ross Terranova believes that despite a slow start to the season, his side has built its momentum all season and is looking forward to the ‘big dance’.
“There’s probably going to be ten or so blokes who actually played off in that grand final last year,” Terranova told NFL.org.au.
“I think getting there again, it was a bit of a struggle at the start (of the season), but a credit to the boys who’ve stuck at it. We’re looking forward to having another crack at it, we’re coming off some great momentum.”
In a rollercoaster three years for Epping, which saw it take the 2012 flag in Division 2 before being relegated in consecutive seasons, self-belief has been the driving force behind the side’s finals momentum.
Epping won just two of its last seven games of the season.
But it has wrestled back momentum in the last two weeks with a thrilling comeback from a 61-point deficit against Watsonia in the first semi final and a five-point win against South Morang last Saturday.
“As we said to them only a couple of weeks ago, the self-belief is there now and now’s the time to seize the moment,” senior coach Steve Power said.
“The self-belief has been the biggest thing over the last two weeks and getting the group to understand that they belong out there on Saturday, they’ve worked their butts off.”
Opposing coach, Ross Terranova has been impressed by the Blues’ finals run.
“They’ve improved, there’s no doubt about it, especially coming off three losses at the end of the season. They’ve won two very, very good finals. We’ve just got to make sure we’re switched on and ready to play,” he said.
“I’ve watched both finals and I’ve been impressed with the way they’ve gone about it.
“Their midfield and outside runners are quite good. They certainly have improved their forward line with having Robbie Tinsley down there,” he said.
Power has also been impressed by Terranova’s Mustangs.
“He’s got a good balance of experience across the ground. He’s got them working really well together as a group, so hopefully it’ll be a challenge for us,” Power said.
The Mustangs and the Blues have met three times this season, with the Mustangs defeating the Blues on each occasion by four points, 82 points and 20 points respectively.
Despite the ledger being 3-0 in the Mustangs’ favour, both coaches are expecting a tough contest at the Whittlesea Showgrounds in the decider this Saturday.
“It’s not going to be the same as what it was in the first three games that we played against them, put it that way,” Terranova said.
Power agreed with his opposing coach’s sentiment.
“They’ve got hold of us three times now so it’s going to be a massive task for us to get over the line on the weekend,” Power said.
“They’re a big contested, strong footy side. We’re probably not as big so we’ve found it hard to match up. But in saying that, now we’re into the grand final, it’s 50-50 now, we’ve only got to beat them once, they’ve got to beat us four times.”
After a week off for Reservoir following its seven-goal win over South Morang in the semi-final, the players have recovered well for grand final week.
“The build up’s been pretty good. The players are probably a little bit anxious like most, but I think they’ve settled in nicely after a week off and ready to get back on the track again,” Terranova said.
And while the Blues have had to play two close finals, Steve Power believes his young, exuberant side to be up for the challenge of a well-rested Mustangs outfit.
“Saturday was a bit of a slog for us with the weather conditions.
“But being a young group, they’ll bounce back and it’ll be full steam ahead. I would expect Reservoir to jump out of the gates hard, having had the week off, they’ll be fresh and we should be able to combat,” Power said.
“We’re going to need 22 contributors on the day, each player playing their role, whether they’re forward, back or midfield if we’re to come away with a win.”
A premiership win this Saturday is as much about the players as it is for both clubs’ communities.
Redemption through last September’s heartache for the Mustangs and just-reward for the Blues’ battling their way back across 2013-14.
Terranova would also love a win for Reservoir president, Anthony Dal Santo.
“He’s been absolutely fantastic. It’s a credit to him and the committee with the way he’s gone about it this year.
“It’s a thankless job and they’ve done a wonderful job, and for Anthony and the people around the club, it’d be great to get a result for those people as well,” Terranova said.
And as Power said back in May, this season has been all about seizing the moment for the Blues.
“You don’t get opportunities like this every day, and you’ve got to make the most of it,” he said.
“The more experienced blokes that have stuck around our club, Peter McMahon, Shane Wood, those kind of blokes have really been sensational for our young kids.
“We’ve got a really good balance now between those experienced players and the young group.”
And heading into a grand final as the underdog doesn’t seem to bother Steve Power, nor his players.
“We have that ‘never say die’ attitude, and we can go the distance until the final siren.”
