THEY have been undefeated all season, but one final hurdle needs to be cleared before the Leeton Phantoms can lift the premiership trophy.
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The club's second grade side is going head-to-head with Albury on Saturday in the Southern Inland grand final.
Both sides have a mixture of first grade players, experience and youth to their name, but its the Phantoms who have had the edge over the Steamers and all of their other opponents in 2020.
Coach Liam Ward said the team has been able to gain some inside knowledge into their opponents.
Leeton hosted last weekend's preliminary finals at No. 1 Oval, meaning the Phantoms were able to get a tough training session in first before sitting down to watch their two potential grand final opponents battle it out.
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As we now know it was Albury who won, but it was the Phantoms who also gained plenty from the win.
"We were able to watch them play as a group and we definitely picked up a few things," Ward said.
"Our boys know it's been a good season so far, but they are also aware there is still a job to do. We will go out there, respect our opponents and hopefully play how we have all year.
"We've prided ourselves on getting away to good starts this season, so we want to do that and just play to our game plan. We try not to worry too much about what the other team is doing."
The key for the Phantoms has been ball control when it is in their possession, as well as taking advantage when it's not.
The team heading into the grand final will be similar to how it has been in the past this season.
"Our forward pack won't have changed at all, our backline has been the nucleus of the team all season ... there's a couple coming back in, including our captain Paul Ta'avao."
Ward said the players didn't appear too nervous heading into the big decider, but rather they were focused on getting the job done.
"Because it's been such a tumultuous season with COVID and the shorter competition, our goal has been to win, yes, but to also just enjoy playing rugby," the coach said.
"When this all started we didn't know if that was even going to happen, so it's been a real privilege and honour for us to play for our club."
Having earned last weekend off after winning straight through to the grand final, Ward holds no concerns that players won't be fit and firing.
The side has been working hard at training and has replicated game form in those sessions.
Our boys know it's been a good season so far, but they are also aware there is still a job to do.
- Coach Liam Ward
The match kicks off on Saturday at 11.15am.
Ward has thanked all of club's players, committee members, coaches, sponsors, COVID helpers, managers and medical team for their assistance this season.
"We just want to get out there and make everyone proud," he said.
Phantoms team list
- 1 Ratu Emori Logavatu
- 2 Sainivalati Ratudradra
- 3 Koresi Waqanivalu
- 4 Misi Toia
- 5 Michael Wright
- 6 Suliano Kabara
- 7 Seremaia Jerry Navia
- 8 Eroni Naua
- 9 Vereti Tupou
- 10 Andrew Madden
- 11 Nawi Rokocika
- 12 David Serukai
- 13 Paul Ta'avao Captain
- 14 Wah Paw
- 15 Soropepeli Soqe
- 16 Aaron Graham
- 17 Rory Walsh
- 18 Ben Graham
- 19 William Price
- 20 Daniel Bozic
- 21 Mosese Gutuvakaca
- 22 Vereniki Qiodravu
- 23 Agustin De Notta
- 24 Anisito Komai
- 25 Sekove Vouvou
- Coach: Liam Ward
- Assistant coach: John Hill
- Manager: Christine Wallace
- Medical: Simon Wallace
- Physio: Sally Hill