Just another game for the Eels

This Saturdays grand finals will be treated as just another game by the Avatiu Eels premier rugby league grade.

The defending champions have had a dream run to the grand finals this season spurred on by their first up loss to archrivals the Arorangi Bears.

That first season loss, according to team captain Bilsy Gukisuva, was a key moment for the defending champions.

That first loss was a real eye opener for us, says Gukisuva.

Since that match the Eels have never looked back, going on to win all their match ups with just the grand finals game left to play.

Another feature of the Eels games this season has been the sides impressive discipline and cool heads.

I think the boys have cooler heads because they are fitter and because no one wants to cost the team.

Gukisuva adds that another factor that has created this years solid Eels team is that 90 percent of the players in the squad have been in the premier grade for the past three to four years.

90 percent of the players have grown together over the past years and thats made us a tight unit.

The Avatiu Eels have featured in the rugby league premier grade grand finals for the past six years under the stewardship of coach Albert Nicholas Jnr.

After winning the championship trophy in 2007, the Eels lost the title in 2008 to the Tupapa Panthers who successfuly defended the title in 2009.

Last year the Eels again played the Panthers and won the title. They will once again face the Panthers this Saturday in the grand finals of the rugby league premier grade.

Gukisuva says that Saturdays grand finals game is just like another game.

Its just another game for us but obviously its the grand finals but we are just going to go out there and play our game.

The Eels ranks include captain Bilsy Gukisuva, Lui Nicholas, Mathew Titoa, Damien Heather, Clive Nicholas, Papa Lee Ponini, Andrew Mokoroa, Mathew Pierre, Maka Maka, Kunta Tom, Joe Hoeflich, Andy Kapi, Terii Aberahama, Silafi Tovio, Mark Charlie, Sam Pera Jnr, Eddie Rea, Bobby Hansen and Bruce Goldsworthy.

Gukisuva is encouraging all the Swamp dwellers to get your Eelz It t-shirts on and get on up to the BCI Stadium and cheer the boys on.