United has won the past 10 matches on the trot, and 11 would bag the Green Bloods their second consecutive 

premiership.

United, the minor premier, faces Macleay Valley Rangers in the big one.

The Port team showed plenty of heart in beating the Rangers in the major semi a fortnight ago. United won 2-1 despite having 10 men on the field for the best part of an hour.

United hasn’t lost to the Rangers this season. Nathan Attwells’ men beat the Kempsey team 3-0 at Dixie Park early in the season, before a 2-2 draw at Dangar Street. That draw should have been a win to United. Young Connor Walsh missed an open goal in the shadows of fulltime.

“That’s football,” Attwells said.

After a slow start to the season, United has taken off.

“Ten [wins in a row] is a fairly decent stretch,” Attwells said.

“Hopefully it’s 11.”

A couple of players were this week under injury clouds, leaving Attwells unsure of what the final makeup of the side would be.

Connor Walsh looked almost certain to miss the match. He’s struggling to overcome an ankle injury.

Tony Raymond has a calf strain.

Attwells rated Raymond as a 50-50 chance of playing, while he was almost certain Walsh would miss the match.

“I can’t afford to take injured players into the grand final,” he said.

“He [Walsh] had a light run on Tuesday night, but still can’t sprint.”

Young gun Rayahn Raschke will take Walsh’s spot in the team.

He’s quick and has a good touch on the ball.

“He’s inexperienced, but that experience will come from me telling him what I want on grand final day,” Attwells said.

The team will miss Kaleb Langbien, who is suspended for the match after a brain snap in the major semi.

Langbien has starred for United this season. 

“He’s been one of my best players,” Attwells said.

“He’s up there in the tally for players’ player. 

“We call him the cattle dog. 

“He just doesn’t stop.”