Falcons and Shoes vow to make this weekend’s Southern Football League grand final a ‘good contest’

Noarlunga and Flagstaff Hill are gearing up for one of their toughest clashes to determine this season’s Southern Football League premier.

Noarlunga FC Captain Tom Caudle and Flagstaff Hill FC Captain Michael Shearer ahead of Saturday’s SFL grand final. Picture: AAP/ Keryn Stevens

NOARLUNGA and Flagstaff Hill are gearing up for one of their toughest clashes to determine this season’s Southern Football League premier.

Both club coaches expect Saturday’s grand final at Hickinbotham Oval to be a close contest but are confident their side can triumph.

Shoes coach Barry Pilmore said his team was hungry to win its first flag since 2014 but would have to put up a strong fight against the reigning premier.

Flagstaff Hill prevailed by 52 points when the sides met in the second semi-final a fortnight ago.

“We finished third last year so we always wanted to come back and give ourselves an opportunity to get to the grand final,” Pilmore said.

“Now we’re looking forward to playing Flagstaff Hill this week.

“They won the flag last year and they’ve come off a strong semi-final win.

“Our form has been good throughout the year (and now) we’ve got a chance to have a crack at them again.”

Falcons coach Rod Mitchell said his squad was fresh after having two weekends off during its finals campaign.

“What we’ve done during the year has been good enough to get us into the grand final (but) we never go in overconfident,” Mitchell said.

“We acknowledge that it’s a big game.

“It’s going to be a really good contest between two really good teams.”

Mitchell said he was proud of his club’s hard work to get back to the premiership decider.

“It’s a good achievement,” Mitchell said.

“Now our club is set up for sustained success.”

The gates at Hickinbotham Oval open at 6.30am on Saturday ahead of the A-grade game at 2.30pm.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for concession, while children under 16 are free.