Jack Redden, Willunga clicking ahead of Great Southern Football League preliminary final

An AFL premiership player on a tear believes his SA country footy side can seal an unlikely grand final spot this weekend after two consecutive finals wins by less than a kick.

An AFL premiership player has hit his straps at just the right time and now has his local SA footy club just one win away from a surprise grand final spot.

Great Southern Football League club Willunga, led by former West Coast star Jack Redden, has won two consecutive do or die finals by less than a kick as it aims to make the 2023 grand final with a win over Myponga-Sellicks this weekend after finishing fourth on the ladder.

The Demons finished eight points below reigning premier McLaren, six below Myponga-Sellicks and four below Victor Harbor but have knocked off Mount Compass 80-79 and Victor Harbor 97-93 to give itself a shot at the big dance.

Redden, a premiership player with West Coast in 2018, joined brothers Tom and Jed at Willunga in the pre-season after finishing sixth in the Eagles’ 2022 best and fairest count,

After a slow start to the season by his standards, the 31-year-old midfielder has hit top gear just at the right time, tallying five straight best player performances and booting two important goals in the club’s win over Victor Harbor on Saturday.

Jack Redden in action for Willunga against Mount Compass. Picture: Ashleigh Carey

“I had a few injuries at the start of the year and a couple people were probably wondering who they’d brought to the club but I got a bit of continuity going halfway through the season and the timing with form has been good for finals,” Redden said.

“The last couple games have been a bit too close for comfort but we still take a lot of confidence from the results because we’ve dropped a few of those close games this season.”

Willunga has experienced an inconsistent season after losing to McLaren in last year’s grand final, the Demons finishing just above Mount Compass in fourth spot.

With star players like Danny Juckers, Sam Renney and Cam Hutchens clicking alongside Redden however, the side will like its chances of an upset against second spot Myponga-Sellicks this weekend.

Redden with West Coast champion Luke Shuey. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Redden said he was eager to lead his team past Ben Kennedy, John Butcher and the Mudlarks and give them a taste of premiership success.

“It’s been a funny old year honestly and just really tight across the competition, we lost to Mount Compass twice and managed to beat them and we’ve lost to the Mudlarks twice too.

“They’re a talented side with Ben Kennedy and John Butcher in there and we probably weren’t at full strength in the last meeting but we’re pretty fit right now and I think we match up really well.

“I’ve loved being back with my brothers and being at Willunga so far, it’s been good fun and I hope we can keep our season going – a premiership with my brothers and this team would just top off the footy career really nicely.”

The Demons will take on the Mudlarks on Saturday at Mount Compass Oval from 2.30pm.