The Purples had the better of the Eagles by 37 points in the qualifying final, but United captain Fayte Belmont-Wickliffe said his squad was “cherry ripe” for the challenge.
“It’s been a really good season,” he said.
“We’re super excited. I’ve never been in a grand final before, and I think it’s the first time for a lot of the boys.
“We have been pretty top notch, we’ve had a few injuries throughout the year which set us back a bit but everyone’s cherry ripe.”
The Eagles, 2022 minor premiers, qualified for the grand final via a 14-point preliminary final win over Finley.
United will be hoping third time’s the charm after Nathalia claimed a five-point victory over the Eagles in the home-and-away season as well as the recent final.
“Nathalia have beaten us both times but it will be a good game and I’m confident in our side,” Belmont-Wickliffe said.
United coach Garet Stobaus encouraged his side to take its opportunity, and said there was still “one more box to tick” for the young Eagles.
“Being on top of the ladder for most of the year you have it in the back of your mind that you would like to play in a grand final,“ Stobaus said.
“I think the boys have got reward for effort in that regard.
“I suppose my message is don’t just be happy getting to a grand final. We’ve still got one more box to tick.
“That won’t be easy either; Nathalia have been a good side and they have certainly been a thorn in our side this year. They’re the only team along with Rumbalara that we haven’t beaten.
“We need to play at our best on Saturday to get over the top of them.”
Echuca United and Nathalia are scheduled face off in the under-17 grand final from 10.30am at Moama Recreation Reserve this Saturday, September 17.
Squad
1 Oliver Poole
2 Lenny Cook
3 Jackson Gronow
4 Sam Chapman
5 Jacob Verhey-Taylor
6 Hunter Beveridge
8 Mitchell Peterson
9 William Graham (vc)
10 Kody Kendrick
12 Jake Clancy
13 Josh Carr
14 Ryan Stobaus (vc)
15 Alex Wagner
16 Maisyn Douglas (vc)
17 Jai Lloyd
18 Jett O’Reilly
19 Toby O’Brien
20 Nash Ramage
21 Zane Martin
22 Ryder Douglas
23 Bryce Barnstable
24 Riley Godfrey
26 Ridley Gass
27 Jackson Lewis
28 Fayte Belmont-Wickliffe (c)
30 Tom Boylan-Roberts
31 Benjamin Gilsenan
34 Dallas Price
Coach: Garet Stobaus
