Senior Men – Gambier Centrals v International

After one of the longest and most competitive seasons in modern memory, only one team can be crowned winner of the 2022 Steeline Bendigo Bank Limestone Coast Football Association Senior Men’s Premiership Cup.

The big game will be a treat for the fans with giants Gambier Centrals and International going head to head.

The archrivals have collected every premiership since 2010 and hate losing to each other, while every head to head in 2022 has had its fair share of goals and drama.

After four contests this year the bragging rights are split 2-2, so it all comes down to 90 action-packed minutes at Blue Lake this Sunday afternoon between two evenly matched teams.

The Lions enter on a high having been victorious 6-3 in the previous clash which was also a final where a Sam Shoemark hat-trick sunk Inter in the second half.

The likes of Cam Saint and Christian Fleetwood also had their say, while Lewis March generated lots of speed on the wing.

Centrals coach Brodey Koop is chasing a flag in his first year at the helm and if this is possible he believes the key will be taking chances just like the semi-final win against Inter.

“In the previous time we played Inter we did not play a brand we could hold our hat to, so in the semi-final we were clinical in front of goals and put away our chances,” he said.

“Inter has not been a dominant team for so long for no reason with lots of experience, so they are always great games.

“We feel like we can get our match ups right again we can come out on top.”

Before finals the biggest story around the rivalry was the fight for the minor premiership and Inter snatched the prize away from the Lions with a 4-1 win at MGA Park.

Like he has on so many occasions Matthew Bueti played a big role that day kicking three of his 50 goals in 2022.

But Inter coach Vlada Gajic believes defence will be the key factor as two high-scoring teams face off with the likes of Tyler Michielan, Lachlan Charlton and Nicholas Morony holding down the fort.

“We looked at the video (from the semi-final) clearly and outlined a few deficiencies we tried to fix and it will be all about not letting them score, so defence is a key,” he said.

“We will also need to set up a little bit better on the counterattacks because we just could not put our opportunities away.

“They have some good key players and we will need to put a bit more pressure on them.”

Unlike in previous Inter and Centrals grand finals the orange army do not have added baggage of having history stacked against them having won last year’s grand final at Casadio Park of all places.

However, International is hungrier than ever, so the 2022 decider has all the makings of a classic.

Senior women – Blue Lake v Apollo

Saturday afternoon will be all about the LCFA Senior Women’s grand final and it promises to be a unforgettable contest with the trophy guaranteed to find a new home after the final whistle is blown.

Reigning premiers International appeared in the box seat to defend its crown, but was knocked out in straight sets by Blue Lake and Apollo, who are the last ones standing.

Both teams have storylines fans can get behind as they chase the holy grail.

Looking to make up for last year’s disappointment, the Blue Lake Rangers have a golden opportunity to enjoy the rare feeling of lifting the trophy on home soil.

While the Blues trailed Inter on the ladder most of the year, they were comfortably the next best team and head into the decider as favourites with star power such as Lauren Frost, Chelsea Frost, Jasmine White, Adele Wilkinson, plus many others.

While Apollo has been unable to topple Blue Lake in 2022, coach Sean Fulton is well aware the challenge that lies in front of them.

“Apollo is very strong at linking up through the midfield and their passing game is first rate, which is a credit to the coaches” he said.

“They are quite dangerous at being able to attack through the thirds, so it will be a battle of the midfields.”

The class of the midfield featuring the likes of Bella Calderwood, Deni Atkin, Isobelle Fewster, Gabby Ten-Tije and Paris Ackland has been one of the key drivers behind Apollo’s rapid rise from fifth last year to the grand final.

Apollo coach James Stephenson will be looking at these names to maintain possession which he believes will be key if his girls can pull off one of the most unlikely of premierships.

“You win games by keeping the ball, so if we play our style they will have to get the ball off us,” he said.

“If we can hold Blue Lake and let them run at us, it could be the difference, but in saying they have some really good players in good form and are a well-coached team, so it will be really exciting.”

With the surrounds of home and weight of history behind their backs, the Rangers will be confident they can go one better than last year.

However, no one expected Apollo to beat Inter last week and the young group will believe anything is possible after their upset.

It shapes up to be a David and Goliath battle with huge celebrations guaranteed for the winner.

Reserves – Apollo v Naracoorte

Apollo will be looking for revenge after going through 2021 undefeated and falling short at the final hurdle.

Mathew Pohlner and Htoo Wah have ensured the blue and white can chase the title again, but in their way is a formidable Naracoorte team.

Led by the dangerous George Matutuva, Naracoorte won the minor premiership and has the chance of adding a premiership trophy to its cabinet after overcoming reigning premier Inter in extra time last week.

Under 17 – Blue Lake v Gambier Centrals

Another Blue Lake outfit chasing home success is the Under 17 side which has been the pacesetter all season.

With the agility of Gay Ni Hsar and Jack Latham, the Rangers have been able to power to be the premiership elect.

But a young Lions side, which just stunned Apollo 6-1 in the preliminary final will also go all out for success with the prolific Ronald Bati and Riley Johnson names to watch.

Under 16 – Gambier Centrals v Millicent

Having progressed to the decider the hard way from fourth on the ladder, Millicent is dreaming of a fairytale finish against Gambier Centrals.

Millicent snuck in on penalties after the brave efforts of Kitana Castignani, but trying to stop Emmy Jeffrey and Scarlett Creek could be a different story in what promises to be a tight affair.

Under 14 – Blue Lake v International

Little has separated Blue Lake and International all year but only one will be crowned as premier.

The Rangers have the edge having won the semi-final, albeit by just one goal thanks to the efforts of Eh Has Poe.

However, the black and blue cannot be discounted with Ryley Stephenson and Nicholas Teodoro potentially packing a punch.

Under 13 – Gambier Centrals v International

With Emmy Jeffrey kicking over 100 goals Centrals have been an unstoppable force all year and is one win away from the trophy.

While the Lions are yet to taste defeat, Inter has been the team to give them the most headaches and the likes of Ashlyn Cornolo and Reetinder Kaur can inspire an upset.

Under 12 – Millicent v Gambier Centrals

Millicent and Centrals will collide in the youngest battle for a premiership.

Millicent is the favourite coming into the game on an eight-match winning streak, with Will Dower and Tait Grgetic leading the way.

But the Lions only have to think back to 12 months ago when they won the Under 12’s flag and they believe they can do it again with the scoring firepower of Nathan Chatinidiara.