Inverell might be heading into their third straight Group 19 grand final, although it will be their first at home in 16 years when they host minor premiers Boggabilla on Sunday.
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In 2000 the Hawks took out all three grades at home, and some of that side will form part of a huge crowd at Varley Oval on Sunday as the Hawks look for two more premierships with the juniors meeting Ashford in the second game.
While the Warriors finished on top it is the reigning premiers that might have the slight advantage after pipping Macintyre in the major semifinal, although president and coach Garry Lavender believes there is nothing between the two sides.
“Every time we have played them it has taken until the final minute for me to be able to take a breath,” Lavender said.
“Finals are a different game and a different competition.”
“Whoever turns up with the right attitude on the day will take the chocolates.”
The semi-final ended up being 33-20, although was a lot closer than that, and the Hawks learnt plenty from keeping the minor premiers scoreless in the second half, after trailing into the break.
“We have been working on our defensive pattern for the last few weeks,” Lavender said.
“We need to control the ball, complete sets and do the simple things that win football games.”
“In the second half of the semi they had more possesion and we kept them scoreless after they out-enthused us in the first half.”
The Hawks have had to make one change to the side that won the major final, high school winger Brad Hickman picked up an injury in an Inverell High side that recorded a big PSSA win during the week.
Hickman will be replaced by reserve grade flyer Leroy Davis, who will have a big job to do keeping up with the Warriors outside speedsters.
“They probably have us out wide so we have to contain them in the middle and control it,” Lavender said. “You can’t relax against them.”
Skipper Guy Mepham is an old hand at controlling big games, and his goal kicking and kicking in play from dummy half is equally as important to the Hawks chances as his leadership and direction is to the young side, whose average playing age this season is just 22.
Nick Hodges and Alex McCosker have both also been there and done it before and will also be looked to on the field on Sunday.
“For a young side they have done so well this season,” Lavender said. “You are under the pump every week when you try and go back to back but we have just gone about our business and now we get a shot at it.”
