First grade
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DON'T expect either side to die wondering during the first grade premiership decider between Leeton and Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo United at Griffith on Sunday.
The Greens are the 2013 minor premier and the Sharks were last season's bridesmaid, so both have plenty to play for.
The 2013 premiership decider at EW Moore Oval will be a battle between teams equally split in 2013, with one win each and a draw. However, TLU will hope to repeat its semi-final win and claim its first title since 1974.
Greens coach Willie McDonald and his side will be doing its best not to let that happen in what is expected will be a game worthy of grand final status.
"Obviously the intensity will be up, being the last game of the season there's a lot to play for," McDonald said.
"Some people would say we're favourites as minor premiers, but they beat us last game and they played (the grand final) last year too.
"I don't really care if you want to call us favourites or underdogs, we just want to go about our own business.
"It's nearly a dream come true. One more step and it will be a dream come true.
"From the pre-season � training in the heat, then in the cold of winter and the rain, that's what you do it for; to meet mates and have good fun with friends and also to play finals footy and the ultimate, to win a grand final."
McDonald has taken Leeton into the grand final in his first year at the helm of a club he said has been a privilege to coach.
"Everyone knows we've got some strike power out wide, but in the forwards we're just a good solid team," he said.
"We've obviously got some real good players, but we don't have too many big name superstars. They're such a close bunch of guys that rely on each other and back each other up."
Leeton will be up against a side that can clinically cut up other sides.
"They've obviously got some players," McDonald said.
"In the forwards you've got Brent Pike, Mick Dodson, Juddy (Daniel Judd) and (Michael) Mogliotti too. Then (Nathan) Morris out of dummy half and they have Jaden Kelly, whether or not he plays halfback or fullback, he is one of the most dangerous attacking weapons in the comp and also one of the players in the comp who can control a game. They definitely are a well-rounded team, but hopefully we can nullify that."
LEETON BLESSED WITH PLAYER SURPLUS
WILLIE McDonald has found himself in a position most coaches hope for, but don't want to be placed in.
With the majority of his squad fully fit and those debatable with injury still able to play, he has more than enough manpower to name his grand final side.
While he had sorted his run-on 13 by Wednesday evening, there was the matter of fitting more than the number required onto his bench.
"It's an unfortunate thing in footy," McDonald said.
"It's a good decision to have, but a hard one to do.
"Obviously there's a handful of players who have played first grade a lot of the year that have to miss out. At the end of the day we all do it as a team and they'll be there as part of the journey, even if they might not get on."
The injury concerns were winger Kolo Lomu (ankle), centre Warren Lloyd (ankle) and impact bench player John Russell (hamstring), but all have been selected.
"We'll give Kolo until a minute before kick-off ... he's definitely a big player for us," McDonald said. "Lloydy's another one, but he's confident he'll be right. Johnny Russell, he's another one who should be right."
MINOR PREMIERS READY TO FINISH OFF THE JOB
IN A good omen after finishing on top of the ladder in 2013, Leeton has won the majority of its Group 20 titles after being minor premier.
The Greens have won six Group 20 premierships since 1954 and five of those times finished the home and away season on top.
Of course there were three seasons when they finished on top and didn't win, which is a statistic Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo United will hope to add to in Sunday's game.
Coach: Willie McDonald
1. Sam Eisenhut
2. Kolo Lomu
3. Jeremy Panuccio
4. Warren Lloyd
5. Brayden Scarr
6. Clinton Green
7. Brad McDonell
8. Willie McDonald
9. Andrew Lavaka
10. Chris Latu
11. Dwayne Simpson
12. Adam Frazer
13. Shayne Roden
Interchange
14. David Stevens
15. John Russell
16. Tyler Boller
17. Franky Fiumara
18. Rodney Coelli
19. Sosaia Finefuiaki
20. Dean Pauling
21. Ben Fisher
