Young Blues firing up for junior decider

READY TO GO: Warrnambool vice-captains Liam Bidmade (left) and Theo Opperman (right) with captain Daniel Mahony (centre).

THEY'RE three of Warrnambool's youngest leaders.

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But Daniel Mahony, Theo Opperman and Liam Bidmade understand the Blues' bitter rivalry with South Warrnambool as well as anyone.

The trio will lead the Blues' under 16 outfit to battle in Sunday's under 16 Hampden league grand final.

Warrnambool's Liam Bidmade during the under 16s. Picture: Anthony Brady

Mahony said the Blues were raring to go after reversing a 26-point three quarter time deficit against Hamilton Kangaroos in last week's preliminary final.

"It's always been a big rivalry with them, and I've never beaten South," Mahony, the captain of the side, said.

"It'd be even better to be able to beat them in a grand final. We get a big chance to do that on Sunday.

It'd be even better to be able to beat them in a grand final. We get a big chance to do that on Sunday.
- Daniel Mahony

"We definitely go in confident. We've played some good footy throughout the year. We lost to them by 10 last time but that was a close game."

Mahony suffered a head knock against Hamilton Kangaroos last week but will front up in the final.

He said teammate Ben Carlin had also beaten a concussion suffered against South Warrnambool two weeks ago.

"I'm feeling pretty good and Ben is looking pretty good so I think we'll be right," the 16-year-old said.

Opperman, joint vice-captain with Bidmade, said the Blues were prepared for a tough midfield battle.

Theo Opperman has a shot at goal. Picture: Morgan Hancock

He said it was vital to cut off the Roosters' forward supply and minimise their entries inside 50.

"The middle will be pretty important," he said.

"It's important to hold up down back when they go forward because they're going to be going forward a fair bit.

Bidmade said his side was excited and riding strong momentum leading into the final.

Warrnambool's Daniel Mahony handballs. Picture: Christine Ansorge

"We're just excited. Getting over Hamilton by a goal - we're up and about (in regards) to that," he said.

"Going into a grand final, it's probably the first one for a lot of the boys."

The under 16 grand final will begin at 2pm at Mortlake's D.C. Farren Oval.

The under 14 final, between South Warrnambool and Koroit, starts at 12:15pm.

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