North Wagga will be boosted by the return of talented teenager Kane Flack for the Saints' finals campaign.
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The Saints will kick off their charge towards a drought-breaking premiership with a second semi-final showdown against crosstown rivals East Wagga-Kooringal at Robertson Oval on Saturday.
North Wagga will go in with a spring in their step after Flack opted to play finals with his home club over Greater Western Sydney's NEAFL team.
Flack has played 12 games for the Giants this season, averaging 11 disposals , and just four for the Saints but North Wagga coach Kirk Hamblin could not be happier to have the young talent for finals.
"It's huge for us," Hamblin said.
"He's been in great form and played a lot of NEAFL footy this year. He could have played finals for the Giants but has chosen to play for North Wagga.
"It means a bit to him to play finals for his home club. We left him alone, it was his decision and we're happy to have him."
While Flack will come in, the Saints are likely to give defender Matt Thomas another week to fully recover from a hamstring injury.
The Saints have enjoyed the first week of finals off for the first time under Hamblin, courtesy of the minor premiership.
After playing in every week of finals last year, Hamblin is rapt with how this year's preparation has been.
"It's given the boys a chance to freshen up and get on top of a few niggling injuries," he said.
"Anyone that says they don't want the week off is telling fibs."
North Wagga are looking to book themselves a spot in a second consecutive Farrer League grand final as the clubs looks to break a 25-year premiership drought.
"Everyone's really excited," Hamblin said.
"We trained last Saturday, which is the first time we've been able to do that. There is a really good buzz around the club and we're hoping to win our first grand final in 25 years.
"We've got ourselves in a good position to try and win one so it's a really exciting time for the club."
Hamblin watched on last Saturday as East Wagga-Kooringal upset reigning premiers Marrar in the qualifying final.
The Hawks beat the Saints with a kick after the siren earlier in the season, before North Wagga won the second meeting by 13 points.
Hamblin believes winning the contested football is going to be vital to winning the second semi-final.
"I watched them play on the weekend and where they beat them was they won the contested ball. Danny Bromham and Harry Fitzsimmons won the hard ball and got it out to their good ball users," he said.
"Our focus is to beat them at the source."
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