<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Iron Knob will face off against Wagga Wagga in the ORFFA grand final this weekend after the pair won their semi finals last weekend.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Iron Knob 1350 d Waikikamoocow 1190
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]The Codpieces ran out comfortable winners over a game Incorrigibles outfit in their semi final.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Iron Knob simply had too much firepower for the Waikiks - even without Ablett and Minson, eight others scored centuries led by Jack Riewoldt (128) and Nathan Jones (129).
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]The Incorrigibles, also hampered by injury and suspension, also battled hard with Dal Santo, Hannebery and Crouch topping the ton in the midfield. The non-selection of a rampant Jack Ziebell stung, but probably wouldn't have made much difference to the final result.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]A good year from the Waikiks, who look to already be preparing for an active off-season trade period.
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<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Wagga Wagga 1457 d Foul Bay 1361
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]The two-time league premiers will not make it three in a row, with the upstart Marsupials sweeping to their first grand final after a hard-fought semi final victory.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]After some down form in the lad-up to the finals, Wagga Wagga are perhapsthe hottest team in the competition right now, riding a streak of great scoring headed by Franklin, some young midfielders and some veteran defenders.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Franklin (128), Bastinac (127) and Prestia (126) were notable, while Swallow's 136 in defence was aided by good scores from veterans Malceski and Murphy.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]A stunning 165 from Shane Mumford wasn't enough to lift Foul Bay to victory, as the big man lacked support - especially in defence. Vince (131) was great, while Stokes, Liberatore and Dangerfield all scored 100+.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Kudos to Foul Bay for their great run since the league's inception. Now the challenge awaits - how will the team respond in 2015?
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<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]The Big One - Iron Knob v Wagga Wagga
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]This is shaping up to be a cracker of a match.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Both teams are in good form, and have a minimal number of injuries. Obviously Ablett's absence hurts the Codpieces, who will be hoping that big Will Minson returns after his shock demotion last week.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Iron Knob's key has always been depth, and it will again be needed against Wagga. An inform midfield featuring Jones, Macrae, Douglas and Griffin - with support from Shuey - will help drive their effort. Running defenders Burgoyne, Harbrow and the brilliant Hanley will need to score well.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]However it is Iron Knob's forwardline that may be the most vital. Can the sometimes spotty performances of Waite, Darling, Jack Riewoldt and Breust be avoided? Can all four click in the one week? If so, it will go a long way to seeing Iron Knob take out this year's flag.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]For Wagga, coach Lenny will be asking for another huge effort from Franklin up forward, and will need greater input from Schulz, Thomas and Higgins - all of whom have been up and down in recent weeks.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]A midfield quartet of Shiel, Prestia, Bastinac and Watson may not look as impressive on paper as the opposition, but they've proven themselves more than a match for the best during this finals campaign.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]And in defence, it has been David Swallow leading the way, with Murphy and Malceski providing great support. The Wombats will hope that team selection favours them as well to help ensure good depth on the bench - another positive during the finals thus far.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Verdict: This one's really tough to call. Wagga have enjoyed maximum benefit of some favourable match-ups for some of their players during its finals run - Franklin and Gold Coast midfielders in particular. That said, a 1450+ score in the semi indicates a whole of team effort.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]But, and not without some hesitation, I reckon the Codpieces might sneak home in a very tight game as long as their forwardline functions with some semblance of success. A 1350 score last week without meaningful contributions from Breust, Hanley, Harbrow and Puopolo (as well as the non-playing Minson) has me thinking they may have enough improvement in them to get home.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Either way, team selection might be very telling for both sides.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Best of luck to both teams - worthy grand finalists - and bring on the action.
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<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Meanwhile in the non-finals teams finals (there's some confusion for you)
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Gariwerd and Powlett Plains will battle it out for the Consolation Cup after semi-final wins on the weekend.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Both teams have found some very nice form in the latter stages of the year - the Robbie Gray/Brett Deledio juggernaut rolls on for the Cockies, while Greene and Lynch have excelled so far this post-season for the Packers.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Again -best of luck to both teams!