Camden Rams may have reached this year’s grand final undefeated but will need to shut out any thoughts of their shock loss in last year’s Macarthur Conference decider.
That defeat 12 months ago at the hands of the Thirlmere Roosters would have hurt the Camden side, who were also the stand out team for the 2023 season.
This year they performed even better to make the grand final without losing a single game.
The Oaks Tigers, the Rams opponents in tomorrow’s 2024 grand final at Campbelltown Stadium, have a different motivation: they last won a premiership in 1992.
They did make the 2018 grand final but were on the losing side.
Mitchell Brasington (pictured above), the captain coach of the Tigers, is hoping 2024 is the year of the Tiger.
“We’re keen to give it a good shake in the grand final,’’ says Brasington, who grew up in The Oaks but returned home after trying his hand in the big league with Parramatta and Wests Tigers.
“It’s going to be a big task, Camden are a quality team.
“We’re excited to be in the grand final and we’ll give it a good crack,’’ Brasington said.
He nominated halfback Daniel Payne as one of the keys to a Tigers win over Camden.
“He’s one of the best halves in the competition and if he can have a good game it will go a long way for us.’’
Payne bagged a double for The Oaks in the 28-12 win over Oakdale Workers in the preliminary final last Sunday at Waminda Oval.
Camden Rams captain coach Brad Speechley said there would be no hint of complacency from his side in the grand final.
“We have an experienced squad so that shouldn’t be an issue, and we know the Tigers are a tenacious side,’’ he said.
Brasington said 14 members of last year’s losing grand final side are in the squad for the 2024 decider.
“We were edged out last year in the grand final so we’re really looking to get in the winner’s circle this year,’’ he said.
The first grade grand final will kick off at 3.15 tomorrow, Sunday, September 15 at Campbelltown Stadium.
