The Yass Magpies Katrina Fanning Shield side are preparing for this Sunday’s Tier 1 Grand Final against the West Belconnen Warriors at Seiffert Oval.
The clash between the first-seeded Magpies and third-seeded Warriors is set to be a fascinating contest, with the Yass side favoured to continue their recent dominance in the comp under Coach Greg Smith.
The Magpies carved their way to the Grand Final with a 22-6 Major Semi-Final win over the Gungahlin Bulls at Seears Workwear Oval on September 3rd.
West Belconnen upset Gungahlin in last Sunday’s Preliminary Final to book themselves into this weekend’s Grand Final with a 40-20 win.
Yass and West Belconnen have shared the honours in their last two matchups with each side taking a win a piece.
In their most recent matchup in Round 3, the Warriors won 28-24 at Walker Park, but Yass took the chocolates in Round 2 with a 22-10 win at Raiders Belconnen.
Tim Clayton, Yass Magpies President, said the Club are all behind the girls for this weekend and is excited for the Grand Final.
“The girls were premiers last year and have won multiple premierships over previous years. They finished Minor Premiers this year and they were the first through to the Grand Final two weeks ago,” Clayton said.
“We’re very proud of that side. They’ve done a great job and there’s been a lot of commitment and a lot of hard work by the players and also the coaches and support staff.
“The girls took the decision to break up the comp into Tier 1 and 2 in their stride. The league made a decision which was out of our control, but there were a clear top four sides who have been playing together and playing football a lot longer.
“If anything, the decision made them a tougher side because there were no easy games. Every week, once they split the competition into two tiers, they were playing a quality football side.
“The girls are well coached, well drilled and are pretty fit. The new competition structure made it much tougher, but the girls were up to it.”
Clayton acknowledged this Sunday’s Grand Final against West Belconnen will be a tough challenge, but believes the Magpies have what it takes to claim premiership success.
“It will be an extremely tough game. We have beaten Westies a couple of times, they’re a very physical and dominant side and it will be extremely tough for our girls, but I think we’re up for it,” Clayton continued.
“I think we’ll go really well if we’re switched on. If all things are equal, apart from things out of their control, I think that the girls will win.
“They are a good side. There’s a good mix of skill, fitness and talent, so I certainly think that will put them in really good stead and I’m extremely confident that they’ll be successful on the weekend.
“I’ll be at Seiffert cheering them on and they’ll certainly be getting a lot of support from the rest of the Club. The Reserve Grade side got beaten on Sunday so I’m sure a few of those guys will make it out too.
Good luck to the Magpies on Sunday and bring home the 2023 Katrina Fanning Shield!
Photo at top courtesy of Lee Wood
Tim Warren
