Filled with finals, fierce face offs and tricky trials, footy lovers are gearing up for a big weekend of AFL in Inverell.
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Friday will kick off the finals of the inaugural Sam Naismith Cup at the Inverell Sports Complex from 10.30am. Youth girls, under 15s boys and open boys from Inverell, Moree and Gunnedah will all fight for their share of the cup.
AFL development officer/program leader Sonia Martin said it was “fitting” that two Gunnedah teams were taking on the competition named for local hero turned Sydney Swans player Naismith.
The regular Auskick session at Varley Oval will run on Friday night from 6-7pm.
On Saturday morning from 11am under 17s, under 15s, under 13s and youth girls will take on junior selection trials in the hopes of representing the north west in July’s northern carnival. The trials will kick off a full day of activities at Varley Oval for football fans.
A friendly mixed game will add to the fun at 12.30pm for under 14s boys and under 15s girls.
“Anyone’s invited to come down and have a kick of the footy,” Martin said.
The Inverell Saints will have something to prove in the under 17s game against the Moree Suns at 2.30pm. The teams last met in last year’s grand final, which was down to the wire –going to the Suns with a penalty kick after the bell.
Facing Moree in an official game for the first time, the Inverell women’s team will be keen to show how much they’ve grown since losing their exhibition game last year. Held from 4.15pm, the local women will be going in as the favourites to win, Martin said.
Last but not least, the Suns and Saints will face each other once again in the open men’s game from 6pm.
With no gate fee, Martin said it would be a great day for spectators and sportsmen and women alike.
“It’s such a great facility,” Martin said.
“That atmosphere at Varley under lights is second to none. It’s awesome.”