The minor premiers will take on The Rock-Yerong Creek at Robertson Oval after two tough finals, and with high grades for passing the one test they hadn’t faced all year – rebounding from defeat.

“To get a good quality opposition and a good quality run… it was exactly what we needed,” McMahon said.

“North Wagga were good and when they got the ball into open space, they certainly had you going.”

Last year, the Hawks took the opposite path to the decider and were overrun by Temora. 

“You risk not making a grand final but, coming this way, I think we’re better prepared to win a flag.”

McMahon promised there wouldn’t be a repeat of their semi-final performance against TRYC.

“We won’t be delivering what we delivered last time,” he said.

“We don’t often concede more than eight goals in a game… our backline were a bit stung by that.”

The Hawks were strong all over the ground. In a well-rounded effort, picking their best was a tough assignment but Jacob Tiernan, Nick Hull, Stephen Smith and Chris Jackson were among them.

The win means Jackson has the chance to enjoy the perfect ending to a player’s career, and the opportunity to change the course of history at the club.

“Thirty-three years since we’ve won,” McMahon said.

“The poor fellas who won that, that keep coming back every time there’s something decent on... there’s a good strong group here that want to try and take that burden away from those blokes.”

Saturday, Robertson Oval

Seniors: The Rock-Yerong Creek v East Wagga-K

Reserves: East Wagga-K v The Rock-Yerong Creek

Under 17s: Northern Jets v North Wagga

Netball:

A-Grade: North Wagga v CSU

A-Reserve: Marrar v CSU

B-Grade: Northern Jets v CSU

C-Grade: CSU v North Wagga