JUST one more match stands between the undefeated Yanco-Wamoon Hawks and premiership glory in the under 18s.
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The young Hawks have had a stellar season, not dropping a game under the guidance of coach Glenn Dumbrell and manager Matt Coelli.
A full squad will be available for this weekend’s grand final, which will be another local derby match up with the Leeton Greens.
The Hawks have been the form team of the competition in 2018 as their unblemished record shows.
Yanco-Wamoon won their way straight through to the grand final and earned themselves a week off in the process.
Coelli said the side used the break wisely.
“We’ve been training and just getting ourselves ready," he said.
“Everyone is fit and well, which is good news.”
Yanco-Wamoon earned themselves a week off during the first round of Group 20 finals after they finished on top of the ladder at the end of their home and away season.
The following week they took on the Greens in the major semi-final, winning 16-12.
This means Leeton are the only team they have had to face in the finals and Sunday will be no different.
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“Obviously the boys want to win because it’s a grand final, but playing against Leeton makes it that bit more special,” Coelli said.
“They all know each other and have been playing against and with each other for many years.
“It’s almost like a State of Origin.
“They put all of that to the side and go out there to win and play hard footy.”
Yanco-Wamoon have kept their training schedule regular in the lead up to their match, working on getting their skills polished and perfected.
Coelli believes the match will be won in the ruck.
“Leeton are a fast side, so if we turn the ball over and they attack, that’s going to cost us,” he said. “It’s going to be about controlling the ruck and just making sure we’re giving everything we’ve got.”
Players senior skills to be a benefit
YANCO-WAMOON’S under 18s have been bolstered by a number of their players gaining senior football experience.
With the number of clubs fielding under 18s sides dropping in 2018, several of the young Hawks have been given the opportunity to play in the first grade side throughout the year.
Under 18s manager Matt Coelli said both individual and their under 18s side benefited as a result.
“It’s been a really good for a few of the young blokes to be selected in first grade during the year,” he said.
“The level of improvement has been great.
“They then bring back what they’ve learned with the senior side to the under 18s and lead from the front.”
Lower grades in the Group 20 competition have had a mixed season with only a handful of clubs fielding teams in the under 16s and 18s.
This has made preparation for matches difficult, but the competition has remained fierce in the lead up to the grand final.
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