North Wagga co-captain Cayden Winter is hoping to carry his home and away season form through to finals, starting with Saturday's second semi-final against East Wagga-Kooringal.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Winter has enjoyed his finest season at senior level and was rewarded with victory in the Farrer League Player of the Year award, voted by the coaches.
While happy to be recognised, Winter is more focused on team success and hopes to book a grand final place with a win over the Hawks this Saturday.
"I can't wait, it should be good," Winter said.
"Hopefully it's good weather and we'll just rip in."
The 24-year-old has taken on the captaincy duties this season, alongside Jake May and Luke Walsh, and his form is one of the major reasons behind the Saints finishing the year as minor premiers.
Winter said North Wagga coach Kirk Hamblin has given him freedom, which along with the help of his teammates, helped to him his career-best season.
North Wagga lost a number of experienced players from last year's losing grand final team but have hardly missed a beat this season, dropping just two games on the way to their second semi-final appearance.
"We were a bit scratchy at the start of the year but we've gotten better and got more confidence as the year's gone on, which is good," Winter said.
"We banked early wins, which helped as well. We weren't winning pretty but we were getting the wins and that helped."
The Saints will face EWK on Saturday after the Hawks upset Marrar by 17 points in the qualifying final.
Winter was not surprised by the result.
"I watched on Saturday and said to the boys I wouldn't be surprised if East Wagga won. They've got quality players all over the ground," he said.
"They played well. They beat them at the source. They based them up around the contest, which stopped their runners on the outside.
"That's where it will be won on Saturday, in the midfield at the coalface."
Aside from two seasons at Tumbarumba, Winter has played all his football at North Wagga and would love nothing more than to achieve the ultimate at the club.
"I think we learnt a lot from last year," he said.
"Being a young group, I think it will hold us in good stead for this one."
READ MORE
