After an undefeated 2024 campaign, Tongala will go into the B-grade grand final with Moama as a heavy favourite.

Having rarely been troubled this year, Tonny’s closest match came in the semi-final where a 68-60 triumph over Deniliquin Rams marked the only game the side had not won by a double-digit margin.

The Blues boast the services of the newly crowned B-grade best-and-fairest Sienna Johnstone, who was awarded the honour on Sunday night, while coach Paige Wade was joint-runner up in the category.

“We’ve had a really good season. Our team are really good friends on and off the court and we’ve had a fun season and obviously done well on the court as well,” said Wade.

Standing in the Blues’ way will be the side that defeated them in last year’s decider, Moama.

The Magpies came from third, knocking off Deni in convincing fashion at the weekend and now have their sights set on another grand final triumph over the Blues.

The sides have met on two occasions this season, Tonny coming out on top by 14 goals in round five and following up with an 11-goal win in the return fixture in round 12.

The squads have also faced off in the last two B-grade grand finals where Moama triumphed in each contest, but with a brand new side, can the Magpies soar to historic heights?

“B-grade are excited to be in the grand final because we are a brand-new team this year, although this will be our third grand final in a row against Tonny,” said Moama coach Carri Carter.

“Even to be able to get there with a new unit has been a privilege to coach, if someone asked me in the middle the year if we’d be here, I would’ve said no.”

Unlike in years past, Moama has not been the dominant side of the two this year. Coasting to a 14-4 season record, the new-look squad will be entering the match as slight underdogs.

“Tonny have set the bar high this year, we’ve honestly done a bit of a flip from last year, when the pressure has been on us the last two years because we were undefeated,” Carter said.

“This year they’ve been undefeated, and we are the underdogs. It’s actually a much nicer feeling being the underdogs than being the ones with all the pressure up the top.”

Wade is looking forward to seeing how the two sides match up in their respective goal-circles.

“Both goal rings have a fair bit of firepower so it’ll be an exciting game I’m sure on both ends,” she said.

“Our defenders will have their work cut out so yeah, we're looking forward to how they go.”

The B-grade grand final between Tongala and Moama will take place at Moama Recreation Reserve at noon on Saturday.

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Friday, 16th August 2024

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