HAY and Ultima will chase an historic victory in the Golden Rivers senior footy grand final on Saturday at Macorna Recreation Reserve.
The Lions and Kangaroos will be vying to win the last premiership in a league which ran as Kerang and District Football Association from 1919 until 1944.
In 1946 the Kerang District Football League was formed.
By 1998 the league had a new moniker as Golden Rivers.
Win on Saturday and Hay will mark its fifth senior premiership in the competition and first since 2023.
Back-to-back triumphs by Ultima would be Ultima’s 12th grand final victory in the league.
The Lions and Kangaroos will clash for glory from 2.30pm in the Tigers’ den.
A 13-2 record meant the Jason Aylett and James Moran-coached Hay finished the 15-round home-away series on top of the ladder.
The Mitch Seton-Stewart and Kyle Symons-coached Ultima was next best on an 11-4 tally.
This season’s meetings between the Lions and Roos stand at 3-1 in Hay’s favour.
Most recent showdown was the second semi-final in the Lions’ den in Hay.
After scores were 31-all at half-time, Hay won the next two quarters, 33-13 and 24-19.
Dean Aylett, Dylan Collis, Jack Headon, Declan and Jacob Watson all kicked two goals in the 88-63 victory.
Ultima’s attack was led by Dustin Burns and Corey Grey on three and two goals.
Best for Hay were Fergus and Jack Cattanach, Jacob Watson and Dean Aylett.
The Kangaroos’ best were Martyn Cooper, Brad Anderson, Thomas Isma and Jake Foster.
A formidable attack for Hay is led by Jack Headon, 66 goals; and Declan Watson, 49.
There’s plenty of goalscoring options through Dylan Collis, 23; Jacob Watson, 15; Dean Aylett, 13; Jack Cattanach, 13; and Fergus Cattanach, 11.
Ultima’s leading goalkickers are Corey Grey and Ryan Devereux on 44 and 32 goals.
The Kangaroos also have Josh Dwyer 23, Dustin Burns 21, Thomas Isma 16, Matt Taverna 15, and Mitch Seton-Stewart 13.
Hay’s team:
B: Simon Darlow, Justin Ellis, Harry Loughnan.
Hb: Jayden Kinces, Brad Pocock, Fergus Cattanach.
C: Cooper Scott, Hugh Crighton, Daniel Stewart.
Hf: Jack Cattanach, Kenneth Jubb, Dean Aylett.
F: Joel Crocker, Declan Watson, Jack Headon.
Foll: James Moran, Dylan Collis, Jacob Watson.
Inter: Tom McGufficke, Simon Bunyan, William Collis, Dan Jamieson.
Emerg: Josh Gardiner, Liam Whitbourne, Hilton Hargreaves, Lane Griffiths.
Coaches: Jason Aylett and James Moran.
Ultima’s team:
B: Lincoln Frost, Martyn Cooper, Brad Anderson.
Hb: Zac Cattlin, Caillum Brady, Lachlan Burns.
C: Mitch Seton-Stewart, Jake Foster, Thomas Bull.
Hf: Jack Delmenico, Corey Grey, Dustin Burns.
F: Thomas Isma, Kade Benfield, Matt Taverna.
Foll: Josh Dwyer, Ricky Wild, Cameron Johnson.
Inter: Ryan Featherby, Ryan Devereux, Darcy Farrell, Bailey Codling.
Emerg: Blake Condely, Aydan Symons, Zac Denham, Zac O’Brien.
Coaches: Mitch Seton-Stewart and Kyle Symons.
Hay’s run so far:
Rd 1: d Moulamein, 119-53 at Hay.
Rd 2: d Murrabit, 74-68 at Murrabit.
Rd 3: d Ultima, 96-55 at Ultima.
Rd 4: d Wandella, 101-23 at Hay.
Rd 5: d Macorna, 83-29 at Macorna.
Rd 6: d Moulamein, 164-40 at Moulamein.
Rd 7: d Murrabit, 116-82 at Hay.
Rd 8: lt Ultima, 63-113 at Ultima.
Rd 9: d Wandella, 65-58 at Hay.
Rd 10: d Macorna, 211-27 at Hay.
Rd 11: d Murrabit, 115-56 at Murrabit.
Rd 12: d Moulamein, 96-5.
Rd 13: d Ultima, 91-69 at Hay.
Rd 14: lt Wandella, 67-73 at Wandella.
Rd 15: d Macorna, 186-13 at Macorna.
2nd semi-final: d Ultima, 88-63 at Hay.
Ultima’s run so far:
Rd 1: d Wandella, 92-41 at Ultima.
Rd 2: d Moulamein, 90-79 at Moulamein.
Rd 3: lt Hay, 55-96 at Ultima.
Rd 4: d Macorna, 96-26 at Ultima.
Rd 5: d Murrabit, 121-36 at Murrabit.
Rd 6: d Wandella, 83-40 at Wandella.
Rd 7: lt Moulamein, 62-70 at Ultima.
Rd 8: d Hay, 113-63 at Ultima.
Rd 9: d Macorna, 103-50 at Macorna.
Rd 10: d Murrabit, 129-61 at Ultima.
Rd 11: lt Moulamein, 83-128 at Moulamein.
Rd 12: d Wandella, 119-50 at Ultima.
Rd 13: lt Hay, 69-91 at Hay.
Rd 14: d Macorna, 155-11 at Ultima.
Rd 15: d Murrabit, 109-25 at Murrabit.
2nd semi-final: lt Hay, 63-88 at Hay.
Preliminary final: d Moulamein, 98-37 at Wandella.
In the reserves competition, Ultima takes on Murrabit from 12.15pm.
The Kangaroos beat the Blues in the second semi-final by 28 points.
Murrabit hit back to win last Saturday’s preliminary final against Hay by seven points.
Across the home-and-away series it was Ultima which won at Murrabit in round five by 17 points, and on the Blues’ ground in the 15th round by 22 points.
Murrabit won on the Kangaroos’ ground in the 10th round by eight points.
It was Ultima’s only defeat of the season.
The Kangaroos bound to the top of the ladder on a 14-1 record as the Blues were second on a 10-5 tally.
It’s the Tigers against the Bombers in the under-18s grand final between Macorna and Wandella from 10.15am.
The Tigers have won the past three showdowns by 98, 52 and 131 points.
Most recent clash was the second semi-final in which Macorna marked a 152-21 victory.
Wandella beat the yellow and black in the second round at Wandella by 21 points.
The Bombers won the preliminary final against Ultima by 35 points.
In the run to the finals, Macorna had a 10-2 record as Wandella was next best on 8-4.
Grand final day kicks off with the under-15s match between Murrabit and Hay at 8.55am.
The Blues have won three of four matches with Hay this season.
In round two, Murrabit won at home by 16 points.
The Blues won in the Lions’ den in seventh round by 45 points.
Closest result was the 11th round at Murrabit where the Blues fought on for a 26-21 victory.
In the second semi-final it was the Blues who outplayed the Lions, 40-12.
Hay stayed in the premiership race as it blitzed Macorna in the preliminary final.