On Saturday afternoon, two Shepparton products will experience a special moment when they lead their respective football and bowls sides out in the most important games of their season.
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Angela Foley and her brother Brett have the chance to add another premiership ring and medal to their bulging collection of personal achievements and accolades.
Foley will don Adelaide's colours in this weekend's AFLW grand final, while her brother Brett will spearhead Altona in Victoria's premier pennant decider.
And although grand finals are becoming synonymous with the talented siblings — and the family for that matter — this weekend has extra meaning to the Foley clan.
In what is a remarkable achievement for them, they will lead out their fellow teammates before play begins in their respective finals.
Angela will captain the Crows against Brisbane when the sides meet at Adelaide Oval, while older brother Brett will coach Altona in the big dance against Melbourne at Dandenong Bowls Club.
Angela, a club stalwart and vice-captain of Adelaide's AFLW outfit, was named as the Crows’ skipper on Wednesday.
A two-time premiership player with Adelaide, Angela steps in for Chelsea Randall, who was ruled out of the decider due to concussion.
Before the announcement she would skipper the Crows, the running defender spoke to The News about the possibility of leading the side out.
“It would be an honour to captain this amazing club in a grand final,” Angela, 32, said.
“There is a chance (of being named captain), but if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. I'm still always going to be a leader in this side, they can't shut me up out there on the field.”
Angela, a member of Adelaide's leadership group since the inaugural season, spoke candidly about the impact of this week after finding out Randall would not pull on the boots as the club guns for its third title.
“It's been an emotional week. Losing our captain ahead of the biggest match of the season is really tough and sad for everyone,” she said.
“We feel for Chels, she is an amazing person, a terrific leader and the way she has handled herself this week has been inspiring.
“She got up in front of the group and spoke about how important concussion is and how she was putting the team first. It just shows the type of person she is.
“Although she won't be running around alongside us she will be supporting us and hopefully we can get the job done for her.”
It is only fitting Angela, who is one of the remaining few trailblazers at the Crows, was handed the captaincy.
She has been involved each step of the way in the AFLW outfit's short existence.
Angela helped kick-start the journey with the 2017 grand final win over Saturday's opponent, followed by the remarkable 2019 triumph against Carlton.
Although last year's cancelled 2020 season was a rather forgettable one for the Crows, a victory on Saturday will cement their dynasty in the AFLW.
“This is what we play for, it's exciting to be involved in another grand final,” Angela said.
“We have worked so hard for this. There has been a real fire in our belly after the disappointment of last year.
“Our performance wasn't up to standard, but we started on a clean slate and brought in some great young talent.
“It's going to be a quick and exciting game of football. We have formed a little rivalry with Brisbane and I'm sure they will come out red-hot after losing two grand finals.”
The feats of the Foley siblings and unavoidable scheduling clash of the grand finals, created a slight dilemma for parents John and Lorraine.
Choosing which grand final to attend.
After deciding to watch Brett's semi final clash on Saturday, John and Lorraine will jump in the car and head west for the City of Churches.
“I hate to see Mum and Dad have to choose who to watch, but I know they will wish they could be there watching him and they'll be tuning in on the livestream,” Angela said.
“Brett's doing what he loves and I'm the same.”
Before the bounce of the first ball in his younger sister's grand final, Brett will already be in the thick of the action in Victoria.
The Altona coach will have already given a pep talk to his side before the first end commences in the premier pennant decider against Melbourne.
It will be the third grand final Brett has led Altona in and, just like his sister, Brett is gunning to make it three from three.
But no matter the outcome, this Saturday's match will be unforgettable for one of Shepparton's most talented bowls exports.
“Saturday's grand final will be my last game for the club,” Brett said.
“I've been here for nine years and coached the past seven. (Altona) have been amazing to me and I've loved my time at the club. I'm going to miss playing here.
“It's also the last game for my teammate Brad Peck as well. Brad and I have been two long-serving skips, so it would be a pretty special to go out with a win.”
Coincidentally, Brett will not be the only local name partaking in the final.
Katamatite brothers Curtis and Cain Hanley will be on the opposing side, with the former pencilled in to skip a rink.
Brett and his Altona troops will be out to reverse a 90-59 defeat handed to them by Melbourne last weekend.
His side bounced back the following day in dominant fashion against Clayton and saluted 85-60 to earn another crack at Melbourne.
“The feeling in the group is pretty good actually,” Brett said.
“On Saturday we weren't at our best and to the boys’ credit they bounced back with a win on Sunday. After winning seven games in a row during the season, we lost our four last games and still finished second on the ladder.
“I said before Sunday's preliminary final not many teams lose five straight and still sit one win away from the grand final.
“Hopefully we have got the losing streak out of us now.”
● The AFLW grand final begins at 2pm, while the premier pennant final begins at 1pm.
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