Collingullie-Glenfield Park will enter Saturday’s Riverina League grand final as slight favourites according to the competition’s coaches.
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Four of the seven non-competing coaches believe Collingullie-Glenfield Park will go one better than last year when they meet Griffith at Narrandera Sportsground.
The Swans, looking to end a 15-year premiership drought, are not without a hope according to the coaches and most believe it will be a close grand final.
Griffith have not been in a grand final since 2004 and a couple believe their rival’s big game experience may count for too much on the day.
“I think Collingullie’s experience will be huge on the day and their pressure around the contest will be enough to get them over the line,” Leeton-Whitton premiership coach Jade Hodge said.
Coolamon coach Connor Neyland pointed to the same reasons as Hodge.
“Collingullie have the finals experience and will put too much pressure on Griffith,” Neyland said.
MCUE coach Travis Cohalan backed the Demons in.
“Collingullie have proven big game performers and the offensive spread and forwards to worry Griffith,” Cohalan said.
“It will be close but Collingullie just.”
Collingullie-GP’s injury situation is also of some concern to coaches.
Departing Wagga Tigers coach Shaun Campbell settled on the Demons.
“Although Collingullie’s injuries concern me, they have been there before and will be hungrier than ever,” he said.
“Their endeavour at the ball is superior.”
Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong coach Christin Macri, Turvey Park’s Truman Carroll and Narrandera counterpart Jarred Lane are all in Griffith’s camp.
“Griffith have been the best side all year and Collingullie have some big injury concerns,” Macri said.
Carroll has a similar theory.
“Griffith have been the best side all year,” Carroll said.
“They are well structured and have a healthy list.”
Narrandera coach Jarred Lane tipped Griffith to win by 14 points.
“I’m going with Griffith. They have been the best side all year, they got their running game up and going last week, which if they maintain this week, they should get up,” Lane said.
Griffith on-baller Heath Northey and Collingullie-GP counterpart Matt Klemke were the most popular selections for best-on-ground.
GRAND FINAL SELECTIONS
Christin Macri (GGGM)
Griffith by 15 points
Best on ground: Heath Northey
Jade Hodge (Leeton-Whitton)
Collingullie-GP by 8 points
Best on ground: Matt Klemke
Travis Cohalan (MCUE)
Collingullie-GP by 7 points
Best on ground: Matt Klemke
Connor Neyland (Coolamon)
Collingullie-GP by 25 points
Best on ground: Tom Keogh
Truman Carroll (Turvey Park)
Griffith by 23 points
Best on ground: Will Griggs
Shaun Campbell (Wagga Tigers)
Collingullie-GP by 15 points
Best on ground: Jimmy Kennedy
Jarred Lane (Narrandera)
Griffith by 14 points
Best on ground: Heath Northey