Sport

11 September, 2024

Harrow Balmoral aim for second straight unbeaten crown in HDFNL grand final

Harrow Balmoral takes on Noradjuha Quantong in Stawell.

By John Hall

On Saturday, September 14, the Harrow Balmoral Southern Roos will play off at Stawell's North Park in the HDFNL grand final, with side looking to claim its second unbeaten premiership in as many years.

After winning through to the season's decider with victory in the preliminary final and earning an extra week of preparation, Harrow Balmoral senior football coach Jai Thompson said his side is excited to play in the grand final.

"Most teams only get one grand final week, we're lucky enough to get two weeks," he said.

After a big training week 'with a fair bit of running', Thompson is letting his players relax and enjoy the lead into the grand final.

"It doesn't happen all the time, so [you've got to] make sure you make most of it," he said.

Having won the 2023 grand final, Thompson is sticking with what worked last year, including a training session on the team's Saturday off on the grand final ground.

"We'll do a pretty similar build up to what we did last time, and hopefully the new guys that didn't get to experience last year, get a chance to experience that, because it's a pretty special moment," he said.

Standing opposite Harrow Balmoral on grand final day will be the Noradjuha Quantong Bombers.

The Southern Roos have recorded two wins against Noradjuha Quantong in 2024, but the Bombers have been riding a strong wave of momentum for several weeks.

"I think [Noradjuha] Quantong is on a real momentum role at the moment," Thompson said.

Ever since Harrow Balmoral beat Noradjuha Quantong by 103 points in round 13, The Bombers have stepped up.

2024 Dellar Medalist Jai Thompson leads Harrow Balmoral by example. Here the Southern Roos playing coach speaks to his players at quarter time during a 2024 HDFNL match Picture by John Hall

"Sometimes all you need is a swift kick in the but to get your season going and get back on track," Thomson said.

"They've got a very young team as well, with some really good young talent ... when young team's got momentum, when they're playing with a bit of energy and a bit of enjoyment and fun, that can be hard to stop.

"We've just got to make sure we're prepared to use our experience at that level."

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