One would think it would be almost impossible to work with your enemy, but for four local sparkies the fierce rivalry is nothing but fun and games - until they step on the field.
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JLE electricians, Josh Large, Shawn Townsend, Darren Jackson and Damien Rootes will face off against each other in this weekend Tooheys New Group 11 grand final.
Large and Townsend will pull on a jumper for CYMS and Rootes and Jackson are set to front up for Macquarie.
All four agree the issue of working together and playing footy against each other has never been a problem, but as far as big talk and fun and games goes, the workplace is full of it.
“There has never been an issue with us all working together,” Large said.
“We give it to each other a bit but it’s all in good fun,” Townsend added.
Jackson said while it was all business on the field, off the field they’re all mates.
This Saturday’s grand final will be Rootes’ maiden first grade grand final.
The young winger said he was looking forward to the big match and said he would be focusing on not making any mistakes.
For Townsend, Large and Jackson, finals football is nothing new, and all of them are looking forward to Saturday’s clash.
“Grand finals are always good games to play,” Large said.
“I think there is a bit more passion in grand finals, especially when you’re playing your cross-town rivals,” Jackson added.
In the past couple of weeks leading up to this weekend’s match there has been a bit of speculation over the fact it will be played under lights.
Both Townsend and Large aren’t fans of the night match, saying they much prefer the traditional Sunday afternoon football.
“I like to bring my two boys to watch me play and it’s a bit hard when the game is played late at night in the cold,” Towsend said.
“There was a bit of a push for a few night matches through the season and it didn’t happen, now they’re playing the grand final under lights.”
From now until Saturday the boys said it would be work as usual, but it would be interesting to see just how these four get along come next week, when only two are guaranteed boasting rights.
First grade is set to kick off at Apex Oval from about 6.30pm.