Ultima takes on Hay in Golden Rivers decider
A country club is just one win away from going from bottom of the ladder in 2022 to premiers. Here’s how they did it.
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The ultimate comeback story is one game away from being completed by Ultima in the Golden Rivers league.
Win, lose or draw the team is confident this year’s winner in the competition won’t be the last to win the premiership.
Ultima takes on Hay in the decider on Saturday both sides one win away from incredible comebacks.
Both teams last year finished bottom and second-bottom respectively, winning five games between them.
The Kangaroos bounced back this year winning 16 matches and losing once on their way to the grand final.
Hay finished third but was able to beat Macorna and Moulamein to qualify.
The Lions are looking for their first title since 1995 with Ultima looking for its first flag since 2015.
“We’re so excited and rapt with how the season has gone,” Ultima president Nathan Condely said.
“We’ve had every single team under the Ultima Football Netball club banner in the finals.
“It’s been a huge month.”
The plan to bring the club back to the top started in November last year.
The team was designed to not have one or two players contribute but the whole 22 involved.
“We’re a very even team and we pride ourselves on it,” Condely said.
“It’s how we recruited early on in the year.
“It’s what we wanted.”
Ultima, along with Hay and Moulamein, have been the top three teams this year.
The Kangaroos and the Lions have faced each other four times with the contest close each time.
Two games have been decided by less than six points with both sides winning one of those matches.
The other two saw Hay win by 21 points and Ultima win by 34 points.
Condely expects another close encounter.
“They’ve got some real standout players and we have a really even team across the board,” he said.
“We obviously need to work as a team.
“We have to work really hard and shut down their stars and just have to do what we’ve been doing all year and just find a way.”
The Ultima president is also confident of the competition’s future.
Last year, two teams left with Quambatook folding and Nullawil moving to the North Central league.
Condely is confident the six teams will remain and the competition survives next year.
“We have full confidence in the league, full confidence in each team in the league,” he said.
“We all have good relationships, out of every single game there has not been one forfeit from anyone.
“It is a fantastic six team competition.
“I’ve got full faith in every team in the comp to continue for many grand finals to come.”
Ultima takes on Hay at Murrabit Recreation Reserve at 2.30pm.
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