THE Macleay Valley Rangers (MVR) have their sights set on a major silverware haul, preparing to contest three senior grade grand finals on Saturday, 27 September.
As another weather-impacted Football Mid North Coast season comes to a close, the Kempsey-based Rangers head to the big dance in men’s first grade, reserve grade and women’s A-grade divisions.
Women’s midfield general and club president Shelby Coleman said taking three senior sides to the final day of the season is a “huge achievement in itself”.
“The men’s squad (reserves and firsts) have put in the hard work and intend to put their best games forward on Saturday,” she said.
“MVR ladies have had a tough season with a lot of cancellations and forfeits, but they’ve been training hard each week and look to keep their positive momentum going.”
Guided by experienced coach Mick Day, the women’s side have progressed through the season unbeaten so far, scoring 63 goals and conceding just two.
Chasing an “invincible” season, they take on second-placed Lake Cathie at 2:30pm on Saturday at Dixie Park, Port Macquarie for grand final glory.
In his first year coaching at the Rangers, Day said he is “honoured” to stand beside his players as they seek to put the finishing touch on an “incredible” season.
“As we head into the grand final we know that we’ve done the work and earned our spot,” he said.
“When we walk onto the pitch on Saturday, we will walk out with pride and we will play our football.”
At nearby Findlay Park, the Rangers reserves will do battle with minor premiers Iona FC at 3pm on Saturday.
Finishing the season in second, the Rangers proved too strong for the third-placed Port Saints in Saturday’s semi-final to secure their grand final slot.
Midfield stalwart Paul Thurlow has led the squad on and off the pitch in 2025.
He expressed pride in his players for surviving a “hard season” with a “never before seen number of injuries”.
“As a club we banded together using our 15- to 18-year-olds and third grade players to fill the void,” Thurlow said.
“Without their help we wouldn’t be playing in the final on Saturday.”
Thurlow said the side’s success is all about balance.
“Our team has a great mix of young and old,” he said.
“The old players have done it all before and can bring these great young kids our club has produced through and teach them how to play and lead by example.”
The Rangers’ first grade men’s side will be the last to take the field on Saturday, doing battle with minor premiers Port Saints at 5pm at Findlay Park.
Led by charismatic coach Jason Coleman, Rangers weathered a mid-season wobble to finish the season in third place after an impressive run of results.
They then came from behind away from home to put Lake Cathie to the sword in Saturday’s semi-final, prompting wild celebrations from the travelling Rangers faithful.
Coleman congratulated his charges for preserving through a season where “every moon boot known to man has been thrown at us”.
Faced with a tough challenge against a dangerous Saints side, the veteran coach urged his players to maintain their energy going into the final.
“You must beat everyone in the competition to win this thing and now there is one more step to finish it off,” he said.
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