What a difference 12 months can make in footy.
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Last September, Figtree were underdogs as they prepared for their first Men's Premier Division grand final. In a hard-fought battle, the seasoned Wollongong Lions prevailed by 16 points.
In 2020, the Kangaroos are favourites as they return to North Dalton Park to face the Wollongong Bulldogs in Saturday afternoon's decider.
It's something that Kangaroos coach Will Ryan is well aware of - and he's ready for the new challenge.
"The approach is probably a little different. Last year, we weren't coming in as the favourites whereas this year we are. I think there's a mentality associated with that which we've got to accept and deal with as well," he said.
"I think what we've shown through the course of the year is we haven't really wavered from that tag. I think before the season even started and COVID, everyone was talking Figtree up. Inside the club, we feel quite humbled around that. It's great to be acknowledged amongst our peers as that.
"But going into a grand final, we know it's going to take four quarters of hard work."
However, Ryan refuses to underestimate their opponents. The Bulldogs finished the season in second spot and booked their grand final spot with a thrilling semi-final win over the Power.
"When we matched up against them earlier in the year, they were probably the team that gave us the biggest run, aside from Kiama when they beat us," Ryan said.
"They play a very similar style to us, very fast paced with lots of handballs, and try to get that run and carry happening quickly. And they're one of the only teams who play a full ground zone on the South Coast too which is quite an interesting tactic for us to try and overcome.
"But we're geared up, we're ready for it. Some of this group have been hunting for this for four years, and a number of them played in last year's loss."
On the other hand, Bulldogs coach Aidan Leishman is happy to claim the underdogs tag. He said Figtree had "been best side in the comp all year" and would be hard to beat on Saturday.
"It's a pretty good feeling amongst the club. The boys are up and about, we're really excited to be back in the 'granny'," the coach said.
"I think the midfield battle is where it will be won or lost. They run pretty deep in the midfield with Jacob Hennessy, Liam Garner and the Veerhuis boys. They're quite handy players so we'll try to get on top in there and give our forward first use."
Leishman said he expected it to be a high-scoring grand final on Saturday.
"Conditions are looking good and they've got about four blokes who've kicked 15 to 20 goals. They're obviously very potent in attack and their midfielders hit the scoreboard as well," he said.
"Hopefully our backs can hold up and our midfield can get on top. For us, 'Tex' [Pat Walker] has been in good form and he's kicked a few. So we've got to make sure we get the ball up our end as much as possible and keep it down there. We'll try hit the scoreboard early and put some pressure on."
The Wollongong Bulldogs will aim for a AFL South Coast premiership double, with their Women's Premier Division side to face the Wollongong Saints in a grand final on Saturday.
Figtree will also have two teams compete at North Dalton Park on Saturday, with the Roos also meeting Nowra Albatross Vikings in the Men's Division One decider.
The Kangaroos have a chance to seal a premiership hat-trick, after the club claimed the Men's Division Two title a fortnight ago. Shellharbour's Women's Division One side also prevailed in their grand final that day.
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Joshua Bartlett
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
