PORTLAND’S under-17 soccer players are ready for a shot at the title when they take on Warrnambool Wolves in the South West Victoria Football Association’s grand final on Sunday at Stawell’s North Park.

The Panthers got through to the grand final via a dominant 3-1 victory over Warrnambool Rangers in Sunday’s preliminary final in home territory, with Sandy Trace playing a starring role as he scored a hat-trick.

Their coach Mikey Meaola said the side is peaking at exactly the right time, and that they had produced “the best game they’ve played all season.”

“Intensity, skills, gamesmanship, it was all at its best (on Sunday),” Meaola said.

“The leadership group on the field really stood up, I had to do minimal coaching from the sidelines.

“They were almost of one mind… it was a pleasure to watch.”

Meaola said it was a particularly pleasing victory given they had struggled against the Rangers in their past battles, something which had puzzled the group all season.

“It was a bit of a head-scratcher, there didn’t seem to be any logic to why we couldn’t beat them… our second loss was actually quite convincing,” he said.

“The confidence is high now… but the group knows we can still improve, and we’ll need to if we want win in the final dance.”

In particular, Meaola noted the lapses in concentration that could creep in, especially if there are a handful of leaders controlling the game.

“It can mean their teammates get caught ball-watching, and there were a few times where we almost got caught out doing just that,” he said.

“We could’ve executed better as well, we’ll need to take our chances against Wolves if we want to win.”