While the cancellation of the official NTFA season ended many players' seasons, the opt-in shield has seen a historic rivalry brought back to life.
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Meander Valley and Deloraine will face off for the first time in 37 years, after the Suns were formed in 2012 as a combination of the Westbury Tigers and Hagley Football Clubs following the former's recession in 1998.
While Deloraine comfortably claimed the final contest due to a Tigers form slump after back-to-back premierships in 1980 and 81, former president Kevin Pitt described the Meander Valley Suns as great for the community and is pleased to see this rivalry reformed.
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"The rivalry in the end wasn't as good as it was in the past but it carried on, the town wanted to beat Deloraine and Deloraine wanted to beat Westbury," he said.
"Years ago they used to travel down on the train and hoards of supporters would follow them up to the train and see them off, driving them out of the town in the end.
"Being involved with Westbury for so long, it's great to see it back in action again playing against a side like Deloraine.
"They are a strong side, no doubt about that, they've hit the goal to be in the finals this year of the NTFA premier division, so it will be a test for Westbury but it will be a good test because you can gauge where you're at and how things are travelling."
For former coach John Gray, who started at the Tigers in 1954 as a 14-year-old before leading the side in 1970 and 71, Saturday's clash is a great chance to reflect on the past, saying "there was nothing like Deloraine versus Westbury".
"Towns in close proximity to each other, the rivalry is always there but it wouldn't matter who it was, schoolkids or whatever, you had to beat Deloraine," Gray said.
"No one wanted to miss a training night leading up to that game because if you did you'd be letting the side down, it was like a grand final every time you played Deloraine."
Current Meander Valley Suns coach Damien Rhind, who took over the head role last season, is really excited to hit the track with his players for the first time this season after being dealt the bye in the opening round.
He said there's been a real buzz around the club, with the older Tigers players speaking to the to the current crop and a pre-game rev-up before the 1.30pm clash at Westbury is looking a strong possibility.
"We are looking to display what the older guys displayed 37 years ago, that sort of heart and that mentality of the never-say-die attitude playing against the local rival," Rhind said.
"It builds a good link back to the club and its history and for the people that actually sit on the committee and are still going things for the football club.
"It's one of the things these days, it's a bit of a struggle to get the link between the older players and the new ones who have just come in, so it will be really good in that regard."
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