"It's crazy to think that six weeks ago Cessnock was sitting sixth on the Newcastle Rugby League table preparing for their Mad Monday celebrations."
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Those were the words from the Goannas' very own half-back, and former Greta Branxton junior, Connor Kirkwood ahead of this Sunday's first grade grand final against powerhouse Western Suburbs.
"We all thought we could possibly make the finals but no one else really gave us a chance," Kirkwood told the Singleton Argus in the lead up to the decider.
"But the momentum has carried through and I've had one hundred per cent confidence in the boys each week since."
After scrapping through to the finals the Goannas have celebrated finals victories over Maitland (14-10), South Newcastle (32-28) and Central Newcastle (34-8).
"It's all come down to defence because everyone is just willing to work hard for each other," he added.
Western Suburbs, a force which has qualified for all four grand finals this weekend, will enter as the favourite following a convincing 57-0 win in Kirkwood's absence the last time they met.
However Cessnock did hand the Rosellas an upset 12-8 defeat earlier in the season in a match which would see him score an impressive try.
"They're a bit like the Melbourne Storm where they have no weaknesses across the paddock," he explained.
"To beat them you really have to get them into a grind and play for the full 80 minutes because they're a great side."
Regardless of Sunday's result the 21-year-old will already have achieved a life-time goal when he dons his club colours on grand final day.
Prior to this season he would already make history in 2017 when guiding his under-19 side to an impressive 16-6 grand final win.
That afternoon he would also take out the man of the match to cap off an impressive junior career which also including four premierships for Greta Branxton from 2008-12.
Can he now pull off Cessnock's fairytale first grade finals series with an upset premiership victory?
"We dare to dream I guess," he added.