Young's third grade coach Mark Meliish is confident the Lions can end Lake Albert's winning streak in Saturday's Football Wagga third grade grand final.
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Young and Lake Albert have dominated this year's competition with Young dropping games to only Lake Albert, a side aiming to cap an undefeated year.
Despite not scoring a single goal against their grand final opponents, Mellish believes the Lions are better prepared now than any previous encounter. He's also enjoying the underdog tag, saying the pressure is on Lake Albert.
"We haven't scored a goal against them but I felt in the most recent game we matched them, if not we were better, despite not getting the goals," Mellish said.
"I've told them to go out and have a lot of fun. We're 90 minutes away and one team has to win and one team has to lose. There's no pressure on us, they're undefeated so there's a bit of pressure on them."
The average age of players in the Lions third grade squad is 27, however Mellish explained that there's at least eight under the age of 18.
He identified senior players Simon Major, Ray Mitchell and Ian Mergard as hugely important this week and on grand final day.
"Ray and Ian are the centre backs and Simon plays a holding midfield role so a lot of our play is steered around in that triangle," Mellish said.
Out of the younger brigade, Mellish heaped praise on 15-year-old attacking midfielder Clancy Hislop who is playing his first season in seniors. He's also in the running for the competition's Player of the Year, and made his first grade debut in 2019, as did Aidan Pratt, Jack Castle and Matt Dunn.
"He thrives in these situations so I'm sure he'll have a big game," Mellish said.
Young Lions soccer club hasn't won a premiership since 2012, not counting the Pascoe Plate in 2015, when its reserves won the Bathurst competition. Mellish said victory would be massive for the club and the community.
"It'd be awesome. At the beginning of the season you want to win whatever competition you're playing in. For the boys they won't care in five to 10 years time what premiership it is, they'll know they've won a premiership for the club which would be great," he said.
"And I like seeing any local side winning premierships, so I'm sure it'd be great for the community."
The game is set for a 3.50pm at Wagga's Equex Centre on Saturday.
A supporter bus will be making its way from Young.
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