FOREST Rangers were barely in the finals picture just a few weeks ago.
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Now they’re lining up with a shot at Ballarat and District Soccer Association division one grand final glory.
Hunting their first cup since 1994, Rangers have gone the past eight matches unbeaten and head into Saturday night’s decider on the back of big finals wins over Warrnambool and league champions Ballarat.
Last weekend’s 4-1 triumph against Ballarat earned the senior team its first grand final berth since a loss to the Vikings in 2009.
Rangers captain Callum Best – who was born in the year the club last won the cup – believes his team can do it again.
“It’s going to be a close match, regardless. Both teams play a very defensive game. We look to press high and try to catch teams on the break,” Best said.
“I’ve played finals two years ever. We just snuck in last year and lost the first final and then it has been bloody brilliant to make the grand final.”
Best said it was a big thrill to be playing on the big stage in his 11th season at the club.
“Coming from two years ago, our senior season we had one draw the entire year and we have slowly developed through (coach) Matthew Skontra – we had him for half of the season – and now Sam Muscat taking over,” he said.
The two teams have met on three occasions during the regular season, with the Vikings leading the head-to-head ledger 2-1.
But Vikings coach Rod Oppenhuis believes the Rangers are favourites this time around.
“(Forest) are the ones that beat Ballarat 4-1, they beat us last time and they are the form team,” he said.
“I don’t think there is much between the sides. I don’t think it’s going to be a goal fest, so we’ll see what happens.”
Midfielder Sam Young is a key out for the Vikings through suspension after a fifth yellow card in the semi final victory over Ballarat.
Meanwhile, North United White carries the Ballarat hopes when it takes on Warrnambool in the division one women’s grand final.
North finished second on the table behind Warrnambool, which has won four of the five meetings between the two sides this year, including the semi final.