Marrar reserve grade coach Jarrod Gornall believes his side is better positioned heading into this year’s grand final.
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For the second year running, the Bombers will take on North Wagga in the decider on Saturday.
They are looking to hit back after a 13-point loss last year.
Gornall is confident they can reverse the result this time at Robertson Oval.
“It’s take two but we are confident with the side we are going to have,” Gornall said. “Hopefully we can turn the tables from last year.”
North Wagga have won two of their three clashes this season, including an 11-point win in the second semi-final.
But the Bombers scored a 12-point win when the teams met in the last round of the season and Gornall expects another close clash.
“The last month when we’ve played against each other they have been close games,” he said.
“We match up pretty evenly so it will be who turns up on the day who gets the result.”
Last year Marrar won the second semi-final to go straight through to the grand final, while the Saints picked up plenty of momentum heading into the last game of the season.
This time around the Bombers have gone the long way through, playing in each week of the finals series, but Gornall is confident they come into the grand final better placed than last year.
“I think we are a lot more prepared this year and our match ups are a little bit better than last year,” he said.
“Last year first grade lost three going into the grand final, which took our three best players, and I think they got three back so it was a six-player swing which really hurts in reserve grade.
“I don’t think the sides will be too much different from the last few games we’ve played.”
The game will also be the 38-year-old’s last.
After playing his last first grade game in 2014, Gornall never expected to still be in the middle but he’s enjoyed the last two years coaching reserve grade.
“I retired from first grade four years ago now, but come back to help out in the twos,” he said. “It has been good the last couple of years coaching the reserve grade side.
“When I finished playing senior footy I didn’t think I’d ever do this, but I have actually really enjoyed it.”
However with newborn son Hamish and two-year-old daughter Emme he wants to spend more time with his young family and is looking to go out on a high.
“We’ve got the 17s, reserve grade and first grade, and I think we are all a pretty good chance, plus the 17s in the netball as well so it will be a great result to get all four wins and make for a good few days celebration at Marrar.”
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