The Bulldogs have beaten the Demons three times this season, including a five-goal victory in their qualifying final three weeks ago. 

They then booked a grand final spot with a 10-goal win over minor premiers Griffith in the second semi-final.

Turvey Park coach Mark Carroll said he wasn’t surprised to see the Demons also roll the Swans, to book a rematch with the Bulldogs. 

“No, not at all,” Carroll said. “Collingullie are a very strong team and they’ve hit their straps at the right time of the year. 

“They’ve been playing some really good footy over the last five or six weeks.

“They’ve got a couple of very good players there in Blake Harper, Brad McMillan, Ed Perryman and in saying that there’s probably a few I missed… they’re good all over the field.”

The three Demons finished in the top six of the under 17s league medal count.

Turvey Park’s Cooper Diessel and Damian O’Donoghue were in the top 10, while another five teammates also finished with at least five votes, indicating a well-rounded team.

“For sure, that’s been our strength all year – their teamwork, and just the way they share the ball and work as a team,” Carroll said. “There’s no super standouts.”

Turvey dropped just two games this year, in rounds nine and 10, and are unbeaten since the start of July. 

Carroll believes the week off has come at the right time.

“We’ve had three or four pretty hard games,” he said. “We played Griffith in the last home and away game, then Gullie (in the qualifying final) – that was a very even game. We only got away at the end, there was only three points in at half-time. 

“And then we played Griffith again. So it was good to have a bit of a freshen up.”

Brad Ashcroft kicked six goals in the win over Griffith and he and Deacon Smith have combined for 19 goals in their last three games.

A four-time premiership player with Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong, Carroll is encouraging his players to enjoy the occasion.

“You just try and relax and enjoy the day and when you get out on the ground just do your job,” he said. “Play your part in the team and let it happen.”

For a club which almost went into recess two years ago, and didn’t field an under 17 team, there’s a buzz about being back with a football team on grand final day.

“It’s been fantastic, the support’s been really good,” Carroll said. 

“Everyone’s getting texts about the game and the senior boys have been training with them. Everyone’s talking about it and having a couple of netball teams in, I think there’ll be plenty of red, white and blue over there on Saturday. It’s a good place to be around.”

Turvey Park’s under 17 and B grade netball teams both play Wagga Tigers in their grand finals. 

Turvey won the inaugural under 17 netball title last year.