In what is the first appearance of a Coleambally football team in the South West Juniors finals series the junior blues won through to the decider with a tough fought win over Narrandera.

The small community of Coleambally has historically found it hard to have enough players to field full sides in each age group, but this season has bucked the trend with 21 boys in the 11's age group.

It is somewhat ironic that they take on the Crows this week as it was only a number of years ago that the crows were sending spare players out to the Blues on permits to enable them to field sides each week in the under 11 age group.

The young side has come a long way under the guidance of coach Tony Pound recording more wins in the last two years than the previous five.

With a core group of boys that have played together for a number of years and the addition of some young enthusiastic players the boys have gelled well, have improved enormously and are predictable to one another.

"We have really struck a good year in terms of numbers," he said.

"We have had a really good turn out, and I think our success has come from our bottom tier players improving which has helped give some of the older boys a bit of a boost as well."

It will be a moment for the club to remember with the Junior Blues having seven players whose fathers played in the clubs last senior premiership in 2005.

In the senior premiership of 2005 Coleambally fielded five Pound brothers in the side and this year the tradition continues with four Pound cousins and three second-cousins in the team and Tony as the coach.

The schools are abuzz with excitement this week, although it's hard to say who is more excited the boys or their mothers.

"The boys are very excited," he said.

"They have improved a lot this year having finished seventh last season."

It is set to be a tough match for the Blues, but they can take confidence knowing they were the only team to defeat the Crows this season while the Leeton-Whitton side beat them in the final round of the season and the first round of finals.

In the first semi-final the Blues were outplayed early but in the second half comprehensively outplayed Leeton but could not convert kicking 4 points in the last quarter to go down by 8 points.

Pound knows the game will come down to the battle in the midfield.

"If we are able to get the ball out of the middle and into the forward line and hold it there that will be the key," he said.

"We have to keep the forward pressure up to lock the ball into the forward 50 until we are able to score."

The under 11s clash between Coleambally and Leeton-Whitton will be the opening clash of the day in Barellan with first bounce set for around 10am.

1.Harvey Pound- small energetic forward just starting out

2.Logan Pound-Brave small forward in his first year

5.Maxwell Patterson-Emerging utility player improving by the week

6.Wilke Evans-Improving rapidly gaining more possessions weekly

7.Cruz Hickey-Good in the contest, vice like grip on the footy

8.Alex Pound-Star in the making, great skill and determination

9.Marcus Star-small forward learning his craft

10. Damon Pound- dynamic forward/ mid who hits the scoreboard regularly

11.Riley Boag-league leading goalkicker and tackler will have a big say in decider

12.Hayden Payne-much improved wingman/mid great defensive pressure

13.Nicholas Pretty-Hitting his straps at right time of year running half back

14.Chaise Davie-determined half forward gaining confidence by the week

15.Nathan Vearing-Undersized fullback who gives his all each week

16.Jai Wilson-Developing utility improving rapidly, future leader

17. Archie Boag-Ruckman, team leader will have huge influence on outcome

18.Marli Simoes-Inside mid. Bull of the team loves the physical side of game.

19.Dallas Hickey-reigning club B&F. Great athlete who leads from the front

20.Angus Graham-reliable utility. Penetrating kick

21.Riley Perkins-Much improved speedy defender. Great finish to season

24.Joel Mahy-Reliable defender gaining confidence across halfback.

35.Xavier Jones-Young full forward learning the game. Ready to hit the scoreboard

Coach- Tony Pound -300 game premiership player for the club. Second year coach who has got he best out of all the boys.

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