Image by Brooke Sleep Media
By Abby Collins
This weekend, the excitement reaches a fever pitch as Wilston Grange prepares to host their first home final in 35 years against Palm Beach Currumbin at Hickey Park.
Both teams are eager to extend their seasons, and with each having claimed a victory in their previous encounters this year, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The anticipation is electric as Wilston Grange and Palm Beach Currumbin gear up for this pivotal clash.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge, because it’s an excellent duel,” said Palm Beach Currumbin’s coach, David Armitage.
“We obviously got them in round one with a win, and then they got us convincingly up there with a win.
“We’re one all, may the best team win.”
Both teams are bolstered by returning players.
Wilston Grange welcomes back key talents as the Lions VFL takes a break before their finals campaign.
Coach Brent Moloney highlighted the impact of returning homegrown players like Jack Manly, Billy Richardson and William Martyn.
“A couple of our home-grown players available are Jack Manly, who played in the Wilston Grange juniors and Bill Richardson, another Grange Junior, as well as Will Martyn who won our club best and fairest last year,” Moloney said.
“So, three big hits for us.”
Also coming back to the Gorillas line up is the formidable defensive power of Harry Wilson.
Stepping out of the Gorillas roster are Ned Rosenbrock, Matthew Pearce, Blair Humphreys and Lachlan Zakaras.
On the other side, Palm Beach Currumbin is excited to reintegrate Tom Hickey and AJ Dawson, who return from injury.
“Tom Hickey comes back in which is exciting for us, he makes a big difference in terms of our clearance and contested ball numbers,” Armitage said.
Other big ins for the Lions this week include Liam O’Brien, James Frawley and Ty Fitzgerald.
Stepping out of the line up are Luke Cahill, Matthew Hollier, Liam McNally and Jack Stringer.
With both teams showcasing incredible talent, several players are expected to shine.
Hickey is regarded as one of the best ruckmen in the competition, dramatically influencing his team’s momentum.
Moloney emphasized the challenge of containing Hickey, who previously dominated their last encounter with 20 clearances and 38 disposals.
“We’re going to have our work cut out for us trying to stop him,” he said.
Wilston Grange boasts a formidable lineup of skill, with Rhys Mathieson and Daniel Bowles anchoring the midfield, while Hugh Fidler is poised to make an impact as a forward.
“We’ve got winners all across the park,” Moloney said.
“I expect Rhys Mathieson to be instrumental and for Hugh Fidler and Daniel Bowles to have big games.”
As the coaches prepare their strategies, the atmosphere is charged with excitement.
“We’re excited to get our first home final in 35 years, so a huge achievement for our group and very exciting for everyone involved,” Moloney said.
“So, we’re really looking forward to Saturday, super excited to get a big crowd there and hopefully continue our season.”
Armitage mirrored this sentiment, emphasising the significance of the match.
“You work hard all year to maybe play four games if you’re lucky,” he said.
“All this work that we’ve put in has paid off, we’ve made the finals and now it’s about executing everything we practiced.”
With everything on the line, crowds can expect an epic showdown as Wilston Grange and Palm Beach Currumbin battle for a place in the next round of finals.
The excitement is palpable, and the outcome remains uncertain—who will rise to the occasion and secure their spot in the Semi-Finals?
