After years of hard work and dedication, the Austral Men’s program is on the cusp of a dream double. Both teams have secured their spots in the ultimate showdown, a testament to the talent, teamwork, and unwavering determination within our club.
League Men: A Grand Return
The League Men, coached by the dynamic duo of Tom Rogers and Josh Lowrie, have been a force to be reckoned with this season. After a remarkable regular season, finishing second on set percentage and boasting a winning record against all opponents, the League Men stormed into their first finals campaign since 2019. Their thrilling 3-1 victory over Norwood in the preliminary final secured their place in the Grand Final, marking a historic return to the State League decider after a hiatus of over four decades.
Ryan Scutter is feeling excited about the opportunity. “Making this grand final in the first place means so much to me personally and the team because we have worked so hard this year but we know our job isn’t over. Winning is the ultimate goal,” he said.
Head Coach Tom Rogers is also confident in the team’s chances, recognizing how the strong sense of community at Austral has been a driving force for the team this season. “It was great to see so much Austral representation spectating the Preliminary Finals and celebrating the Division 2 Women’s Premiership. I’m really looking forward to what the club can bring this week and I’m sure both teams will be loving the support.”
Reserve Men: Defending Champions
The Reserve Men, also under the guidance of coaches Rogers and Lowrie, are hungry to defend their 2023 title. With the experienced setter Lewis McDonald and seasoned middle blocker Jahan Emery, this team is a formidable force. Having topped the ladder after the minor rounds, the Reserve Men continued their dominant form by defeating Norwood in the Preliminary Final. They now face a rematch against Mount Lofty in what promises to be an epic battle.
Jahan Emery is relishing the opportunity to go back-to-back. “Last year we went in as the underdogs and managed to come back from two sets down to win in five. This year we finished top of the ladder and have been flying in the second half of the season. Considering how far the team has come in 12 months we’re confident we can win,” he said.
The success of the Reserves and League teams is a product of hard work and a strong squad culture. “There are a number of reasons why we’ve managed to perform at such a high level this season. Our coaches Tom and Josh deserve massive praise. They’ve been integral to our squad’s rapid development both on the court with our performance on game day, and with the standards we set at training and away from the court,” Emery said.
The Details
Both grand finals will be held at The Lights on Saturday, August 10th. The Reserve Men will take the court at 12pm,followed by the League Men at 6pm.
Tickets are available for purchase online via the Volleyball SA website. Let's fill the stands with purple, make some noise,and tag us in your Instagram stories!
