Footscray Edgewater has a chance to add to its one and only first XI premiership, won in 1979-80, after advancing to the Premier Cricket grand final for the first time in 34 years.
The Bulldogs are on the verge of their second flag in a district cricket history spanning 66 years since their elevation from sub-district ranks in 1948.
They will face Essendon, an inaugural district cricket member that has won two top-tier flags in 108 years.
“I don’t think Essendon and Footscray are the two most fashionable sides playing off for a premiership,” Bulldogs coach Steve Chapman quipped.
The Bulldogs moved through to the decider with a 24-run win against Geelong in a semi-final at Merv Hughes Oval at the weekend.
The players and coaching staff enjoyed their victory on Sunday night, but it was back to preparing for the grand final when the working week arrived.
The match will be a three-day affair at the Junction Oval, starting Friday at 10.30am.
“I think it was important for the boys to enjoy it,” Chapman said. “Forget about the fact that it’s a grand final coming up that we’ve won the right to play in – it’s a big result, it’s a state semi-final, so we’re pretty happy.”
On paper, the Bulldogs’ 218 might have appeared a little dicey to defend, but Chapman was confident his side had enough on the board to satisfy the bowlers.
It proved to be a tricky wicket for the Bulldog batsmen early on, but once they familiarised themselves with the conditions, runs could be made – as proven by skipper Dean Russ (56), Guy Walker (51) and Shanuka Dissanayake (45).
On the Sunday, the Bulldogs dismissed Geelong for 194.
“That’s as good a fielding performance as I’ve seen from a Premier side this year,” Chapman said of his team.
Jake Haberfield was again the game-breaker with the ball. The opening bowler took his season tally to 53 wickets with 4-81 off 23 overs.
“He was immense,” Chapman said. “He took wickets when we needed them the most.”
Haberfield, 27, has been a breath of fresh air since crossing to the club from South Australia, and he continues to press for higher honours.
“For a fast bowler, he’s been unique,” Chapman said. “He hasn’t once complained about his workload; he hasn’t mentioned any sort of injury and we struggle to get the ball out of his hand. He’s just got an insatiable thirst for bowling.”
In a game that seesawed, Geelong appeared to be taking the upper hand on Sunday, requiring 58 runs with five wickets in hand.
Chapman turned to the experience of John Hastings, who ripped through the lower order and claimed James Crosthwaite for 118.
The Bulldogs hold a 2-0 head-to-head lead over Essendon for the season, but both victories were gained in limited-overs matches.
The sides have not met in a two-dayer since the opening round of 2012-13 in match that was drawn because of poor weather.
2013-14 Premier Cricket final
Footscray Edgewater v Essendon
Junction Oval, Friday-Sunday, 10.30am
Semi-final results
St Kilda 224 lost to Essendon 7-225
Footscray Edgewater 218 d Geelong 194
Head to head in 2013–14
Round 5 (one-dayer): Footscray Edgewater 1-97 d Essendon 96
Round 10 (Twenty20): Essendon 7-116 lost to Footscray Edgewater 8-124
First XI premierships
Footscray Edgewater: 1979-80
Essendon: 1963-64, 1969-70
