TODAY is Mininera and District Football League and Mininera and District Netball Association Grand Final Day, with plenty of locals in action at Tatyoon Recreation Reserve.

Leading the representation is Penshurst, with the Bombers set to face Wickliffe-Lake Bolac in the senior football decider.

The Bombers finished second on the ladder, while the Magpies were minor premiers, with the two games split with one win apiece, in a season where the red and black are celebrating a milestone year.

Penshurst playing-coach, Jayden Watson said the group was raring to go for the clash.

“Excitement levels are very high amongst the playing group and among the town, in our 150th year,” he said.

“It takes a lot of people to win it, from playing group through to board members and footy committees.

“There is a whole element of a whole new level of excitement.”

Having lost the home and away clash to Wickliffe-Lake Bolac, before bouncing back and winning the second semi-final to have last weekend off, the Bombers will need to play four quarters of consistent footy to claim the premiership.

“We can take a few things form the last time we played them, but I am sure they will throw a few new things our way and we will throw a few new things their way, so it will be whoever adapts on the day,” Watson said.

“Defensive pressure will be crucial, getting numbers into the contest.

“Neither side has posted a big score against each other, it is not the biggest ground in the league, but it does have some size.”

The team will be looking to break a 12-year premiership drought, with the club last lifting up the cup in 2012.

Penshurst’s success has drawn the town in, with plenty of extra faces around the club during the week.

“There has been a grand final build up, a few more supporters around than you get in the middle of winter,” he said.

“There are a few first timers playing in a senior grand final as well.

“There is huge sentimental value among the group, from me when you walk in the club rooms, there are a fair few of our dads up on the wall and it’d be really special to have our photo amongst our fathers and the generations before us.

“It is pretty cool that we’re still around the club and the families haven’t dispersed.”

Having had a week off, the group is recharged and ready for one last match-up to finish the 2024 season.

“Everyone got their body as good as they could, you’d be pretty lucky if you had 100 per cent fit squad,” Watson said.

Ryan Smith comes in and Jaykeb Paley goes out, as the only change to the semi-final side, with Kieran Neeson also pivotal in the ruck along with W.J. Lewis Medal winner, Josh Rentsch.

“He (Neeson) is so important and obviously getting your hands on it first means a lot will go right,” Watson said.

“He will have a huge role to play and if he can get on top, he will swap with Josh and if they can win the ruck, then that will help set us up.

“We have trialled a couple of things, Bolac are pretty quick, they love a short kick, but when the time is right and the ball is deep in our forward line, they will be aggressive in their set up.”

Jacob Mibus is set to play his 100th game in the grand final, with the forward hoping to celebrate the milestone with a premiership.

First bounce is set for 2.30pm.

Penshurst will also be in reserves action, taking on Glenthompson-Dunkeld in a local rivalry which is set to be played out on the big stage.

The two teams finished top two after the home and away season, with the Rams one loss behind the Bombers after 16 games.

Glenthompson-Dunkeld had 11 scoring shots to nine in the second semi-final but lost by eight points after the Bombers kicked 9.1, and if they can repeat their efficiency and accuracy in front of goal today, they will be hard to beat in the season decider.

The game is scheduled to get underway at 11.45am.

Glenthompson-Dunkeld will be raging favourites for its Under-16.5 grand final against Caramut, with the Rams finishing on top without a blemish, while the Swans finished fourth and did well to progress to the grand final after dropping six games during the season.

The Swans have plenty of momentum, which they will look to harness this morning, but the Rams will be determined to collect one last victory to complete a perfect season under coach, Matt Lowe.

The contest is set for a 9.45am start.

Netball

GLENTHOMPSON-DUNKELD’S 15-and-Under team is flying the local flag, with the side the only representative on the netball court from the Rams, Bombers or Hawkesdale-Macarthur.

The Rams finished second on the ladder and will face Tatyoon, which finished third, as the Glenthompson-Dunkeld juniors eye off a victory under coach, Nicky Lowe.

A grade action will see Tatyoon and Ararat Eagles face off in the decider, with Ararat going into the clash full of confidence after and undefeated home and away season, with the game starting at 3pm.

Ararat will also be in action in the B grade action against Woorndoo-Mortlake, with the Tigers upsetting Hawkesdale-Macarthur last week to earn the right to face the minor premiers on grand final day.

The B grade grand final will start at 1.45pm.

C grade action will be between Lismore-Derrinallum and Tatyoon, with the two teams set to face-off in today’s season decider, which gets underway at 12.30pm

The 18-and-Under match-up will be between Woorndoo-Mortlake and Lismore-Derrinallum, with the Tigers and Demons’ match-up scheduled for a 11.15am start.

Great Western and Caramut round out the netball fixtures, with the Lions and Swans battling in the 13-and-Under grand final.

The opening clash of the day will start at 9am.