Griffith cricket punters might think Yenda has very little to play for during the final round of the Griffith District Cricket Association first grade season this weekend.
As far as making the finals goes, they would be be right.
Yenda sits 127 points off the pace and has no chance of making the top four.
But those following the competition can bet their bottom dollar the Jets will fight to the very end against Diggers on Saturday.
Why?
It will be Yenda captain Brett Hazelman’s final game for the club after deciding to retire at the end of the season.
“It will be quite emotional this weekend,” the 38-year-old said.
“The seven years with Yenda have been quite enjoyable and I’ve created a lot of new friends. It’s going to be hard to finish up with the guys but I’ve been thinking about it for a few weeks.
“I’ve been playing since I was 13, so 25 years, and the deciding factor was – the body’s not holding up the way it was years ago but I’m mainly doing it to spend time with the family.”
The captain wants to go out with a bang and while he knows it won’t be easy, there is a few factors in Yenda’s favour.
The side’s only win this season came against Diggers in round five and last time the team’s met Yenda narrowly lost.
However, the biggest plus for the Jets this Saturday will be the side they put on the park.
“We’ve probably got our strongest side in this week,” Hazelman said.
“It’s a bit hard to think we’ll have our best side on the paddock and won’t be playing finals.
“But it’s good to see the guys who have been playing this year still keen to get out there.”
The year has been hard for Yenda but Hazelman said there was a silver lining to it all.
“We’re all pretty close, we get along and we’re good mates. That, sort of, holds you together.,” he said.
“When you’re in a bad situation, knowing you get along with each other and not dropping you’re heads has made it that bit easier.”
GDCA Umpires
Friday
Third grade grand final
5.45pm start
Coro v Coleambally at Exies No. 1. Umpires: Richie Alvaro, Joe Catanzariti
Saturday
First grade, 1pm start
Exies v Coro at Exies No. 1. Umpires: Joe Catanzariti, Richie Alvaro. Leagues v Hanwood at Westend. Umpires: Don Coleman, Garry Tucker. Diggers v Yenda at Hanwood. Umpire: Gordon Browne
Second grade, 1pm start
Hanwood v Coro at Collina. Umpire: Peter Davis. Coleambally v Leagues at Coly. Umpire: Doug Cattanach
Sunday
Peter Davis One Day Cup final, 1pm start
Coro v Leagues. Umpires: Don Coleman, Peter Davis
