MERRIVALE reserves captain Allan Eccles can see the club flourishing before his eyes as five sides prepare for premiership tilts on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Eccles said it was a "special" achievement for the club to have five teams in the hunt.
"Any time you get a chance to go for a flag is something special - actually getting there is something special too," he said.
"Having five teams up in a grand final it's a good indication of how the club is going. Would be good to walk away with a couple (of wins)."
Since 2000 the reserves have featured in 10 grand finals winning eight while the Tigers' youngest footy side has featured in seven during that time for just one win.
The A grade netballers have also been very successful with five premiership since 2007.
The last time they featured in a decider was in the 2016 defeat to Dennington.
The 17 and 13 and under sides are yet to secure a premiership flag for the club.
READ MORE:
Merrivale will play Nirranda in the A grade, the 17 and under netballers face Dennington and the 13 and under team takes on Panmure.
The reserves' footballers tackle Old Collegians and the under 18s clash with South Rovers.
Under 18s vice-captain Jye Wilson said the feeling around the playing group was "really good".
"The last three we have been in, winning one and losing one, and hopefully we can do it again," he said.
A grade netballer Nicole Ferguson, who is preparing for her fifth grand final appearance for the club, was excited about the prospect of heading into the final as underdogs.
"The pressure is not on us," the 2012 top-grade premiership player said.
"We haven't been on top all year and they have been the better side. I much prefer being the underdog."
Paiyton Noonan, who played in the 13 and under's grand final defeat last year, said she and her teammates were ready to earn redemption and a premiership medallion.
"There is a lot more new girls in our team as a lot went up (to the 15 and under side)," she said.
Layla Wilson - the 17 and under vice-captain - said it was an exciting time for her and her teammates.
"I'm not nervous yet but I will be tomorrow (Friday)," she said.
"We are the underdogs and there won't be as much pressure, which is good for us.
"We can do it if we play as a team."
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.