Zach Walgers' first senior grand final last year felt like a fairytale. In a Marrar team boasting bigger names (and bodies) up forward in Brad Turner and Fred Sleeth, it was Walgers who delivered on the big stage, kicking three of his team's eight goals in the win against North Wagga.
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Preparing to return to Robertson Oval, Walgers said Saturday's preliminary final against the Saints certainly ignites the memory. Not to mention the desire to get to another decider.
"It'd be unbelievable. It's a great feeling when you play in one and I guess that's the pinnacle of football, it'd be great," Walgers said.
"I definitely reckon it will have a grand final feel. Two passionate clubs with lots of supporters and a good atmosphere."
There'll certainly be feeling after the teams last year cemented a rivalry.
Marrar's last three games were wins over North Wagga in high-stakes and hard-fought affairs, as the Bombers claimed the minor premiership in the last round, claimed first spot in the grand final, and then claimed the premiership.
This season, Marrar are a completely different outfit and North Wagga look a lot different. But the intensity will be there.
"I do think there's a bit of feeling there. Every time we play each other, it's a bit fiery. I think it's just two good teams playing each other. We'll just approach it as another game," he said.
Walgers, at 21, is more experienced than many of his teammates and a big reason the club has coped with a host of departures last year.
Sure, midfielder and captain Jackson Moye wasn't far off a Gerald Clear Medal and ruckman Nick Molkentin was also up there in the league vote count. But Walgers is one of their most important players.
He's kicked 53 goals in 18 games, finishing the home-and-away season in the league's top three goalkickers, and playing tall as his team's main target up forward.
"It's been great. Challenging at times, when there's a tall defender because I'm not the tallest person, and sometimes you're the only lead-up forward," Walgers said.
He's managed to handle the extra attention that comes with the role and knows that, at the business end of the season that will only increase with every game.
"When it comes finals time, obviously everything's a bit more intense and they crack down on you a bit more. But it hasn't been too much attention, no," he said.
Walgers says the battle of the midfield will be critical for two teams whose strengths are momentum and quick ball movement and an ability to run. But he said the wind could play a big factor in how the game unfolds.
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