The oldest Bulldog by a long shot, the 33 year old from Mt Gambier will need to be at his best if last seasons wooden spooners are to end Saints' run of eight straigh Grand Final appearances.
"Brian and probably Damien Roe are the only older ones that really know what needs doing in finals so well be looking for them to lead," coach Heath Mitchell said.
"And Brian had 27 touches, 10 marks, six tackles and three goals on the weekend so hes hitting good form after a break mid season when he was off working."
Just making the semi finals is a win for the side that finished last in 2014, but Durbridge is confident they match up well with the more mature Saints. "Theyll be the favorites and have a lot of good plaers that are used to finals footy but we definitely match up well," he said. "Well have beaten every team in the competition so we know our best footy is good enough."
Durbidge grew up playing in Adelaide before becoming a regular in Victorian regional Football with North Albury and the Shepparton Swans. A move north for last season did not go to plan result wist but he is happy he stuck it out to taste finals footy at the Trinity Beach Club.
"It was pretty tough last season afte coming from the Ovens and Murray League, but we had a great pre season, have lots of new faces and have just got a great bunch of blokes together now really."
While conceding he had "about either years" on the next oldest player in his team the ball magnet and able kick at goral said a mid season break had kept him fresh. "I worked on Lizard Island for six weeks and it tooke me while to get my mojo back after that but I think it kept me fresher as well," he said. "Im feeling pretty good and looking forward to finals footy."
Article Courtesy of Murray Wenzel The Cairns Post
Last Modified on 03/09/2015 16:29