With the season over and the top four set in stone, finals footy is finally here.
The first round of finals is kicking off this weekend, with two teams who played in the 2020 FMG Premier Grand Final narrowly missing out this year. After a hard run home, Cottesloe and Associates were painstakingly close to making it, but it wasn't enough.
Kicking off the first finals match for 2022, Wests Scarborough will be hosting Nedlands at Bennett Park. The two teams have met twice this year. In Round 10, Nedlands kept Wests Scarborough scoreless with a 37-0 win, but in the season finale, Wests Scarborough won 27-26 in a thrilling contest.
Dan Whiston's Wests Scarborough team are on a six game winning streak heading into the finals, but he isn't focused on that.
"We've had a great end to the season, especially after the league split."
"Morale and confidence are up, but we must stay focused."
Although Nedlands haven't won a game since the split, Coach Sam Rarasea isn't concerned.
"We just need to close the game out, we've played some great footy since the split, but we just need to put it all together."
"We have a fit side here at Nedlands, and we are fortunate to have four side playing in finals this week."
The Minor Premiers UWA will take on Perth Bayswater at their home ground, McGillivray Oval. Battling it out twice this year, UWA was victorious in both bouts, the first time in a 32 - 20 win in Round 2 and a heart-racing win in Round 15, 27-26.
Finishing in the top spot, UWA Coach Alex Atajka is happy for a home final but isn't letting it get to his team's head.
"Last year, we learnt the hard way against Cottesloe about the importance of a home final. I'm glad the boys have that this year".
"No one remembers the minor premiers, and we want a ticket to the Grand Final".
It's the first time in 15 years that Perth Bayswater has made the finals, but Coach Johan Bardoul isn't worried.
"There will be a lot of emotion from the boys, but we need to stick to the basics and remain focused".
"We've learnt a lot from our close loss, and now we have a few tricks up our sleeve".
The FMG Reserve grade will also kick off their finals campaign this weekend, with the Minor Premiers Nedlands taking on the Southern Lions. The two teams clashed in Round Five, where Nedlands took home the win, 27 - 10.
Palmyra will take on Associates this Saturday. Round Six was the last time these two teams and Associates came away with the win, 26 - 10.
The FMG Division Two Premier Grade will play their final round this week, with Wanneroo and Palmyra locked in for the Grand Final.
Kalamunda will hope to repeat their Round 11, 31 -24 victory against Wanneroo when they battle it out on Saturday.
After a high-scoring Round 13 performance, Joondalup and Southern Lions will clash again for one last time in 2022. Joondalup came away with the victory, 46 -32.
Minor Premiers Palmyra will take on Rockingham. The last time these two collided in Round 3, Palmyra won 67 - 3.
Make sure you head down early to get into the finals spirit and watch the Reserve league battle it out before the Premier grade. We hope you're in for a big day on Saturday!
