Flagstaff Hill, Noarlunga set to battle in SFL grand final for second, consecutive year
Can Flagstaff Hill claim a fifth consecutive premiership or will Noarlunga get revenge for last year’s flag decider loss? CHECK out how the teams are faring in our SFL grand final preview.
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Flagstaff Hill and Noarlunga could be excused for feeling a touch of deja vu when they line up in this year’s Southern Football League grand final at Noarlunga this Saturday.
The unbeaten Falcons are chasing their fifth consecutive flag and dominated this season, finishing top with an unbeaten record.
They earned the right to defend their title after a 71-point win against Christies Beach in the semi-final a fortnight ago.
Noarlunga was in a similar situation last year after winning all of its minor round games and the semi-final before losing to Flagstaff Hill in the flag decider by 33 points.
Flagstaff Hill co-captain David Kearsley knows all about dealing with expectation.
“We know exactly the feeling we had and the confidence we had coming into last season’s grand final as under dog,” Kearsley said.
“This time we are the ones unbeaten.
“Everyone is confident and whether we are stronger than last season or not we won’t really know.
“Having Mick (Shearer, co-captain) back in the side just makes us stronger.
“And having both teams in the A and B grade grand finals is a testament to both sides and their depth.”
Noarlunga edged out Christies Beach, 13.10 (88) to 11.7 (73) at Bice Oval in the preliminary
Victor Robertson starred against the Saints with seven goals, while Zac Williams and Nathan Schulz also stood out.
Tom Caudle chipped in with four goals.
Noarlunga coach Josh Thewlis was keen for his side to get revenge and claim the flag.
“You could not write a script better for the way this has worked out,” Thewlis said.
“We remember last year and now they (Flaggies) are in the same situation.
“It’s going to be interesting but as we saw last year anything can happen on the day.
“Against Christies we thought we controlled play for most of the day apart from a bit in the last quarter when they came back a bit.”
The key player likely to return for the Shoes for the grand final is Kevin Opperman who missed the previous game through injury.
Happy Valley and Flagstaff Hill kick off the day’s action in the under-17 grand final, while Noarlunga and Flagstaff Hill meet in the B-grade decider.
SCOREBOARD
Preliminary final:
■ Noarlunga 13.10 (88)Christies Beach 11.7 (73) at Bice Oval
THIS WEEK
A grade grand final:
■ Flagstaff Hill v Noarlunga at Noarlunga Oval on Saturday, September 26 from 2.10pm