WITH the two teams cancelling each other out on paper, the Cricket Far North A-grade final between Mulgrave and Rovers could come down to a magic moment or a special session.
Both teams arrive at Griffiths Park No. 1 today boasting strong batting and bowling lists and, weather permitting, may have to be prepared to scrap their way through what is shaping to be a tight contest.
Minor premiers Mulgrave go into the decider in hot form after smashing Innisfail outright in the final round of fixtures and then scoring a comfortable, although rain-assisted, win over United in the semi-finals.
Rovers earned their spot through a consistent fixture season and an excellent away semi-final win over Atherton and rival captains Wade Frazer (Mulgrave) and Josh McGinty (Rovers) are confident of success while respecting their opponents’ line-ups.
"We’ve strung a couple of games together and it’s working well for us," Frazer said.
"We’re fortunate in that we don’t have to carry any players, everyone has a role to play.
"(Rovers also) bat and bowl all the way down and they’re all capable of chipping in and doing their bit.
"You can play well against them and they will keep coming back at you. We need to be competitive every hour of the game."
Frazer said the loss to Atherton in last season’s decider had not been discussed at any length and hoped the experience gained by his young charges who figured in that game will benefit them in today’s clash.
McGinty said Rovers strike bowlers Glen Martin, Jon Chisholm, Michael Salerno and Adam McGinty would need to continue their good form. Both sides have hard-luck stories with Mulgrave’s Brock O’Sullivan (tonsilitis) and Rovers’ Mick Johnson (back) unable to start after contributing well this season.
A-grade final teams: Mulgrave: Wade Frazer (c), Andrew Milton, Barry Weare, Brendan Coleman, Josh Langtree, Justin Reid, Jake Roach, Kyell Palmer, Matt Curtis, Mitch Croghan, Nev Philp. Rovers: Josh McGinty (c), Adam McGinty, Rodney Stratford, Michael Salerno, Jon Chisholm, Glen Martin, Mark Lawson, Clay Thompson, Ryan Terry, Casey Zepnick, Jarrod Bruce. Game starts at 10am today and continues tomorrow and next Saturday and Sunday.
