Moree Minions in action during their 9–0 win over Narrabri FC at Moree Services Club on August 1. Minions will face fellow Moree side Next Gen for a place in the grand final on Saturday. Photo: Moree Online News.
Moree Minions have beaten Moree Next Gen four times this season, outscoring them 24–1 along the way.
None of it will matter if Next Gen can beat them once on Saturday.
The two Moree FC sides will meet in a preliminary final at Moree Services Club, with one place in the Namoi League grand final on the line and Narrabri Elevens waiting for the winner.
On paper, Minions have every reason to start as favourites.
They finished the supplied competition standings with 13 wins, one draw and two losses from 16 matches, scoring 109 goals and conceding just 18.
Their record against Next Gen has been emphatic.
Minions won the four recorded meetings 8–0, 5–0, 7–0 and 4–1, giving them a 24–1 aggregate advantage over their fellow Moree side.
But finals football has already shown how quickly the equation can change.
Minions had their first chance to reach the grand final in the major semi-final, only to be beaten 4–1 by Narrabri Elevens.
That result sent Narrabri straight through to the decider and forced Minions into Saturday’s second chance.
It also continued a season-long pattern.
Narrabri Elevens were the only side shown taking regular-season points from Minions, handing them both of their losses and holding them to their only draw.
A win on Saturday would therefore give Minions another crack at the one opponent that has consistently caused them trouble.
Next Gen arrive by a very different route.
Their supplied regular-season record was five wins, one draw and eight losses from 14 matches, with 38 goals scored and 46 conceded.
They also endured four defeats against Minions.
But Next Gen are still standing.
They survived an elimination match against Narrabri FC with a 3–2 win in the minor semi-final, earning the right to take another shot at a Minions side they have not yet been able to beat.
That is what makes Saturday different from every previous meeting between the two teams.
Minions carry the stronger season record, the heavier scoring numbers and four head-to-head wins.
Next Gen carry the knowledge that only one result matters now.
Whatever happens, Moree will have a team in the grand final.
The preliminary final between Moree Minions and Moree Next Gen will be played at 2.30pm on Saturday, September 19, at Moree Services Club.
The winner will advance to face Narrabri Elevens. The loser’s season is over.
