That is the confident prediction of Hastings League president, Geoff Connor after Kendall progressed to a grand final showdown with Macquarie Hotel on Saturday.

The final match of the season will be played this Saturday at the Lank Bain Sporting Complex.

And despite some early season dramas, including the withdrawal of the beaten 2007 grand finalists, Lake Cathie, and the decision to axe the Crescent Head Kangaroos through the season, Connor said the quality of football was ‘as good as ever’.

“With the Raiders and the Kangaroos out of the competition, the football leading up to the grand final has been great,” he said.

“It’s obviously a shame to have two teams not play in the competition but these things happen.

“With retirements, players leaving and other factors dropping the numbers it’s not uncommon in country football.

“But next year both sides have indicated they hope to play, so it’s looking good.”

Connor was quick to commend the finalists this year on their standard of football.

“Both semi finals were fantastic games,” he said.

And Connor predicted Saturday’s grand final match will again attract a strong crowd.

He said the Macquarie Hotel Sharks would no doubt be keen to make up for past performances – they were beaten favourites leading into last year’s grand final – while Kendall have enjoyed recent grand final successes of their own.

“The Sharks have been the minor premiers for two years running and will be looking to go one further after failing to advance to last year’s grand final despite being favourites,” Connor said.

The grand final will be a huge day of football celebrating the centenary year of rugby league.

Group 3 junior finals will kick off from 9am with the Bun Hayward Cup curtain raiser match played before the big one kicking off at 3pm.

The Hastings League life members will be paraded and will be the special guests and they will also present representative jumpers to the representative side.

More Hastings League news inside