THE Phantoms have waited 26 years to bring home the first grade silverware, but that could all change come Saturday afternoon.
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The last time the Phantoms made the Southern Inland Rugby Union grand final was in 1998, which they lost.
Their last premiership victory was in 1991 and just one last game stands in the way of that on Saturday.
With first grade taking on the Wagga Waratahs and the Dianas playing the CSU Reddies the SIRU grand finals are set to light up No. 1 Oval throughout the day on Saturday.
Club president Bart Challacombe was hopeful a sea of purple would turn out on the day to support both teams.
“We would love to get as many people down there on Saturday supporting us … wear some purple and come down and enjoy the games,” he said.
“It means a lot to us to have the two teams playing, especially as we’re hosting the grand finals too.”
The Phantoms finished the home and away season as club champions, with reserve grade so close to also making a grand final appearance. They went down by one point in last weekend’s preliminary final.
It hasn’t always been an easy ride for the Phantoms, particularly first grade.
The side was on wrong side of the ledger for many years, but in 2017 they are yet to lose a game.
Challacombe paid tribute to all who have contributed to the club over the years and to those who have helped turn it around in recent times.
“It’s the hard work of the committee and our club members in getting sponsorship, attracting players and coaches, but also the community as a whole,” he said. "We definitely couldn’t have done it without them.”
Challacombe said the facilities at No. 1 Oval were second-to-none and he was looking forward to seeing the Phantoms get over the line in both grades.
He thanked the Greens, Leeton United and Leeton Shire Council for accommodating Saturday’s grand final.
As the attention now turns to the games, Challacombe was confident Leeton’s two teams could get the job done. “They’ve all played well this season … it would be great to get two wins on Saturday,” he said.
