COMMUNITY LEAGUE MEN GRAND-FINALS
For the first time since 2020, the RMB Lawyers Community League season will culminate with a grand-final day.
9 matches will take place at Ian McLennan Park this Saturday, to decide champions in All Age Division 1, 2 & 3, Over 35’s Division 1, 2 & 3 and Over 45’s Division 1.
Entry is free and this is all you need to know ahead of each Grand Final.
ALL AGE 1 FIRST GRADE – Hill Top v Shoalhaven Association, 7.30pm KO on Field 1
The two dominant forces in the top division of Community League will battle it out for the championship trophy in a fitting conclusion to the 2023 AA1 FG season.
Shoalhaven went unbeaten during the regular season to claim the league championship and dropped their only points of the campaign against Hill Top in Round 10.
This is the second meeting in three weeks between the two sides with the Kookaburras advancing straight to the decider, following a thrilling win on penalties over Shoalhaven in the major semi-final.
Nathan Aldridge’s side bounced back from their first loss of 2023 in style, cruising past the Port Kembla Pumas last Saturday in the preliminary final, to ensure it would be 1 v 2 in the decider.
Having already secured promotion to District League in 2024, Shoalhaven will be hoping to complete a clean sweep of trophies in Community League, having already won the Peter Webster Cup and League Championship.
Brendan Kellett will be the key man for Hill Top to stop, with the Shoalhaven star bagging a league best 27 goals this season.
ALL AGE 1 RESERVE GRADE – Dandaloo v Oak Flats Kraken, 5pm KO on Field 1
Dandaloo enters the grand-final the fresher of the two sides after advancing straight to the decider, following Shoalhaven’s withdrawal from the finals series.
The Lions will be itching to take to the field after a fortnight to prepare for this match.
The Kraken also enjoyed a week off, after accounting for Port Kembla Pumas in what turned out to be the preliminary final, a fortnight ago.
The two sides met in the last round of the regular season, with Oak Flats securing a 2-nil victory thanks to goals from club stalwart Ryan Bradbury and Timothy Goodall.
Oak Flats have all the momentum heading into the decider, having not lost a match since early June, which was against Dandaloo in Round 9.
ALL AGE 2 FIRST GRADE – Uni Bomb Brewers v Figtree Heat, 3pm KO on Field 2
The top two sides meet in the grand-final with the Heat literally on fire entering the decider.
Figtree has won 7 straight matches, with its last defeat coming against the Albion Park Cows in June.
The Bomb Brewers finished two points clear of the Heat to claim the league championship for a second straight season.
Andrew Breslin scored a hat-trick in last Saturday’s Preliminary Final win over Helensburgh and could prove the difference for University, having already wrapped up the golden boot with 31 goals to his name in 2023.
ALL AGE 2 RESERVE GRADE – IFS Wolves v Uni Wolves White, 12.30pm KO on Field 2
IFS Wolves stunned League Champions Helensburgh to reach the grand-final and will enter the decider full of confidence.
Uni Wolves only lost once all season and will enter as the favourites against IFS.
The first ‘Wolves’ derby in Round 7 ended with Uni running out 3-2 winners.
ALL AGE 3 – Coledale Waves v Gerringong Breakers, 10am KO on Field 2
The battle of the beaches sees Coledale take on a Gerringong side riding a seven-match winning streak.
The Waves advanced straight to the decider with a win over Albion Park SC a fortnight ago.
The two sides met three times during the regular season with Gerringong winning two and the other fixture ending in a draw.
MASTERS DIVISION 1 – Northern FC v Coledale Waves White, 2.30pm KO on Field 1
Northern FC and Coledale engaged in a fierce battle for the league championship, with the Quails finishing three points ahead of the Waves.
The two sides met in the major semi-final a fortnight ago, with Northern FC winning on penalties after the match finished in a 0-0 draw.
Paul Gaffney and Adam Martin will look to use their big game experience to steer the Quails to the title.
MASTERS DIVISION 2 – Albion Park City FC v Kiama Quarriers, 12pm KO, Field 1
After losing three of their opening four games of the season, Albion Park City FC has won 14 of their past 15 games to reach the Grand Final.
Kiama stunned League Champions Helensburgh last weekend to reach the decider after finishing fourth.
The Quarriers defeated APCFC in Round 3 before City won the reverse fixture 4-1 in July.
Veteran goal scoring machine Josh Faulks will be hoping to add to his league leading tally of 26 goals this season.
MASTERS DIVISION 3 – Fernhill IFS v Albion Park City FC, 9.30am KO, Field 1
Grand final day kicks off with a 1 v 2 battle in Masters Division 3.
Fernhill IFS romped to the league title, losing one match all season and conceding just 14 goals in 18 matches.
The Foxes cruised into the decider with a 3-nil win over Gerringong while City snatched a late equaliser against Bulli, before winning 6-5 on penalties.
The only meeting between the two sides this season was a close encounter, with Fernhill winning 1-nil at Albion Oval.
OVER 45’s – Groundhogs v Coledale Waves, 5.30pm KO, Field 2
The Over 45’s are the main event on Field 2 with Coledale hopeful of celebrating a hat-trick of wins following this match.
After sneaking into the top 4, the Waves won consecutive sudden death matches to reach the decider.
Further boosting their confidence, was the fact they won their last meeting against the Groundhogs in Round 17.
The Groundhogs will enter the clash after enjoying a weekend off and will be hoping their fresh legs can propel them to a league and grand final double.
