The 2016 NEAFL Grand Final will be fought out between the two top sides of season 2016 as the minor premiers, the Swans Reserves, take on the WSU GIANTS at Blacktown on Sunday.
The Swans have been the competition leaders all season, losing just three games all year. Two of those losses were against the WSU GIANTS while the third was an away trip against the NT Thunder in Darwin.
This week’s Grand Final looks set to be one of the best in NEAFL history as the WSU GIANTS aim for their first ever flag and the Swans Reserves their first since winning the Eastern Conference in 2013.
GIANTS Head of Development and Welfare Brett Hand was the club’s NEAFL coach from 2012 to 2015 before taking up a more senior role and handing the reins to first-year coach Brad Miller.
With the GIANTS’ senior side making the AFL Finals for the first time, Hand says there’s a special feeling around the club at the moment
“It’s pretty spirited at the moment, obviously,” Hand said.
“To be in the situation to play in our first Grand Final, the first opportunity for the club to get some silverware, is a great reward for the years gone by.
“Last Saturday, we came out and played like we wanted to be there so it was a really good result and we’re looking forward to Sunday.”
After sneaking into the top two following the final game of the NEAFL season, the WSU GIANTS demolished Sydney University in last week’s Preliminary Final to the tune of 87 points.
The Swans were similarly dominant as they also cruised into the Grand Final with an 82-point win over Aspley.
The three clashes between these two sides have been close this season with the Swans winning by 18 points in round two and the GIANTS taking the next two by one-point and 25 points respectively.
“It’s been close, we’ve had some really good games against them and we expect it to be that way again,” Hand said.
“They’ll have 17 of 18 listed players and we’ll have the same.
“They’ve got a number of boys who want to play AFL footy and some experienced players back in the twos like us so there’s a lot to play for for those guys but more importantly, there’s a NEAFL Premiership on the line too.
“It will be a good game, we’ve won two out of three but a Grand Final is a different kettle of fish.”
Both sides will be buoyed by the news they can field more listed players with the AFL reserves sides restricted to just 15 when they face non-AFL clubs.
However the WSU GIANTS have been well-served by a raft of GIANTS Academy players in 2016 who will relish their opportunity to play finals football.
“The Academy guys that we’ve had, when they came in they’ve really stepped up,” Hand said.
“The consistency of having them play week-in, week-out has been invaluable. Our boys get to know how they play and they know our structures and game plan so it certainly helps.
“We’ve got a couple of Western Sydney boys in there and the rest come from Canberra and Wagga and our boys accomodate them really well and they’re a part of the group.”
With a Premiership on the line, and potentially a spot in an AFL final in the coming weeks, there’s plenty to play for on Sunday.
“Any Grand Final is a Grand Final. When you get to that at whatever level, everyone’s going to try and win it,” Hand said.
“We’re there this year and you could see the excitement in the final last week in that our guys know they’re in a Grand Final and now you’re there, you might as well win it.
“We expect the Swans to be feeling exactly the same way and we look forward to the challenge.
“We’ve got a good team and we’re pretty happy with the way we’re looking so we’ll see what happens on Sunday.”
The WSU GIANTS take on the Sydney Swans Reserves in the 2016 NEAFL Grand Final at Blacktown International Sportspark on Sunday, September 11 at 1.30pm.
