Top sides the Camels and Crocodiles to contest the much anticipated Big Rivers grand final

All-Katherine affair in the Big Rivers Football League grand final with the Camels and Souths contesting the season’s spoils

St Mary’s influence: Ryan Smith and teammate Adam Parry after Katherine Souths' 33-point win over the Northern Warlpiri Swans in the preliminary final.

KATHERINE Camels coach Scott Bertus has pointed to his side’s potent forward line as a big factor in winning back-to-back Big Rivers Football League flags tonight.

The Camels have only lost one game — the last minor round fixture — to grand final opponents Souths and they bounced back with a vengeance by beating their rivals in convincing fashion in the second semi-final.

“We want to get some midfield dominance going and try and get the game on our terms in the first half,’’ Bertus told the NT News.

“We have a really potent forward line, an important advantage we do have and one I don’t think the Crocs’ backline will match up very well against.

“If our midfielders can give our forwards an opportunity, guys like (Doug Kelly medallist) Cam Arnold, Aaron Moules, Josh Carlin and a player who largely goes unnoticed in Tristan Warner, can kick a winning score for us.’’

At the other end of the ground Bertus expects his cohesive defence to keep the highly rated Souths forwards to a losing score.

Souths coach Mal Fox has backed his defenders, saying the back half was “really good now and pretty well settled’’ as they prepare to tackle the Camel’s goalkickers.

“We’re hoping Will (Farrer) can do some damage for us in our forward line and Jeffrey McDonald is a very good forward who we’re hoping can perform as well,’’ Fox said.

“I believe our on-ballers, hardness at the ball and ruck advantage will get us over the line.’’

One of the key matchups will start in the centre of the ground where Souths ruckman Ryan Smith will go up against the Camels’ tap ruckman Tristan McLennan.

Both players have the ability bring their on ballers and midfielders into the game with their work at centre bounces and boundary throw-ins and marking around the ground.

Another big matchup will be in the Souths forward line, where Farrer will have in-form Camels backman Leo O’Connor as his immediate opponent while his brother Josiah returns to the side after recovering from knee soreness.

Smith, St Mary’s first choice ruckman in the NTFL competition, will play his fifth game in a red and white Souths jumper.

“There’s no doubt it will be a tight tussle, both sides are pretty competitive and with the rumours going around about how the two town sides like to stir each other up a fair bit, it should be a tough game,’’ Smith said.

“For us, our coach has got a little plan up his sleeve that we’ve spoken about during the week and we travel best with our local players, when they’re up and about, we’re up and about.’’

[e-mail]