In a season dominated, particularly early on, by the talk of overseas players, the only teams without them have made the grand final.
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Lavington elected not to use one after Englishman Jethro Menzies won its Cricketer of the Year award in 2015-16, while Wodonga’s hopes of two were dashed by visa issues.
“We certainly would have liked to have had Nuwan (Shiroman) and Drew (Weighell), which would have made a huge difference to our side,” Wodonga president Craig Borrell said.
“We’re very hopeful of having those two next year.”
It’s a credit to the club that, even without the two star imports, it’s been able to make another grand final.
Wodonga replaced North Albury as the association powerhouse, playing five of the past eight grand finals, for three premierships.
“The motto is to develop kids into good players,” Borrell said.
“I guess we’re lucky with the size of the club and the amount of workers that we have.
“I think the junior committee relies on kids that have come out of the juniors to put time and effort back into the younger kids.”
Lavington is the only club which had no intention of signing an overseas player.
“Our preference, still, is to develop and play local talent,” Lavington coach Robbie Mackinlay said.
“I think it’s good for the comp if you only had one overseas player in your senior side.
“I don’t want to alienate a young cricketer or a person who’s a chance of playing first grade, who’s been around the club for a period of time.
“When I found out that Brett Davies was coming to town he was the priority.
“You know what you’re going to get and there’s an element of risk with the international cricketer.”
It will be the third time the teams have met in the last four games.
Wodonga won the final round clash, while Lavington claimed the semi-final.
Interestingly that win has elevated Lavington to the top-ranked outfit.
That means if rain intervenes, and there is a forecast for scattered showers on Saturday, the Panthers would be ideally placed to take advantage.
If more than an hour was lost on Saturday, for example, play would revert to normal conditions, meaning Lavington could bat for two days, if capable, as opposed to both teams facing 80 overs.
Tallangatta’s Rowen Park will host the decider, with interest on how many people from Albury-Wodonga travel the short distance.
