By KRISTEN ALEBAKIS
AHEAD of Sunday's Division 2 Grand Final, hear from the Seniors, Reserves and Under-19 coaches ahead of the premiership decider.
Division 2 Seniors Grand Final - Yarraville Seddon Eagles v Caroline Springs - Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee, 2.20pm
CALLWAY WANTS REWARD FOR EFFORT
THE Yarraville Seddon Eagles hope they will be rewarded with a premiership on Grand Final day after all the hard work and dedication its players and coaches have put in over the past 12 months.
Coach Dean Callaway, who has been involved with the Eagles for the past 10 years, said the club has followed a plan it set out at the start of the season.
He said despite some hiccups along the way the Senior side was well placed ahead of the final match of the season.
“Our goal at the start of the year was to finish in the top two, which we did achieve,” Callaway said.
“The next hurdle was to make the Grand Final.
“The year overall has been somewhat inconsistent, we have shown our best is good to match and beat any side in Division 2, but we didn’t bring that mind-set and effort to the table each week.”
The Eagles defeated North Footscray in the Second Semi-Final two weeks ago and earned the right to have the week off.
Callaway said captain Gareth Newton and star players Lachlan Longmire, Macaulay Goring, Chris Topalidis, Jacob Sweeney and Kevin Johnson all had standout seasons and will be players to watch on Sunday.
He said the lead up to the big game would be kept as normal as possible.
“There a real buzz of excitement amongst the players, volunteers and supporters, it is a great place to be involved in.
“We will keep our preparation as normal as possible.”
LAKERS PREPARED FOR GRAND FINAL
CAROLINE Springs coach Scott Korczynski admits his side struggled at times throughout the home and away season, but says after making a few changes with three rounds remaining, the Lakers were primed to contest the Division 2 Grand Final on Sunday.
The Lakers defeated Glen Orden in the first week of finals before knocking North Footscray out in straight sets in the Preliminary Final at the weekend.
Korczynski said the senior side, led by star players Brian Lake, Mathew Sutton and Jason Degabriele, were physically and mentally prepared for the final match of the season.
“Momentum coming into the Grand Final is massive, we are playing great footy at the right time of the year,” he said.
“There is a strong self-belief within our club, our u17's won the premiership, and our reserves are also playing in the Grand Final.
“Our last five weeks have been really strong and both teams are ready to go.”
On the eve of what is one of the Lakers’ biggest matches to date, Korczynski wanted to thank the entire Caroline Springs Football Club for their support and guidance in 2016.
“I would like to thank the Caroline Springs executive for their strong leadership in running the club, our coaching panel, our medical team which has worked tirelessly to keep the players on the park, our runner, rotations manager, statsman, team manager.
“Also our camera boy and water boys who have been a great assistance on match day and finally our loyal supporters who are there every week cheering our teams on.”
Division 2 Reserves Grand Final - Caroline Springs v Yarraville Seddon Eagles - Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee, 11.40am
CAROLINE SRINGS READY TO FIRE
THERE is a buzz in the air at the Caroline Springs Football Club, with the Reserves team on the brink of creating history for the club.
The Lakers Reserves side, led by coach Kayne Taylor, have reached the Grand Final.
Taylor, who has been involved with the club for the past five years, said despite being tested at times this season the team was ready to fire in the final game of the season.
“We have had challenges with injuries at stages, but with our depth in our list the boys were able to step up and keep winning games on footy,” he said.
Taylor said everyone at Caroline Springs has backed the team and were excited of the prospect of bringing the premiership cup to Town Centre Oval.
“It would massive for the club to win the flag,” he said.
“We are only a young club so it would be our first flag at senior level.
“We have a lot of people that work extremely hard around the club so the boys and I would love to reward them by winning a premiership.”
Goal kicking machine Michael Saker will be a player to watch. In the 10 games he has played this season, he has booted 47 goals.
Finally, Taylor wanted to thank the players, coaches, players, volunteers and fans of the Caroline Springs Football Club for all of their support throughout 2016.
“I would like to say a massive thank you to our committee and medical staff for all the hard work they put in the club which allows us to just worry about coaching.
“Also to all the supporters that come to the footy on Saturday’s rain, hail or shine.”
EAGLES SET TO SWOOP ON GRAND FINAL DAY
THE Yarraville Seddon Eagles finished the home and away season undefeated and looked certainties to play in the Division 2 Reserves Grand Final.
The Eagles will play in the last game of the year, but they got there the hard way.
The Lakers defeated the Eagles in the Second Semi Final and had to kick a goal after the siren against North Footscray to secure a spot in the Grand Final.
“The two finals games have been solid hit outs for us, so our preparation will focus on recovery and skills sessions, so the boys can maintain their touch leading into the Grand Final,” coach Peter Lazzaro said.
“The whole club is very excited about both teams making it through to the grand final, but everyone understands the premiership won't be handed to us.
“We realise it will take a lot of hard work to get our hands on the cup.”
Lazzaro said winning the premiership would mean a lot to the players and the club.
He said he wanted to thank all who have been involved in getting the Reserves side to the Grand Final.
“I would like to thank all the Eagles support staff and volunteers, Ray O'Hara, Chris Laffey, Norm Lewis just to name a few.
“The coaches Dean Callaway, Lachie Longmire, Nathan Anstey and Ash Baldi, you guys have been an amazing support for me.
“To all the supporters who come along every Saturday thanks so much, hopefully we can bring a flag home for you all,
“I want to give the biggest thanks to all players who have given so much each week to get the team into the Grand Final. I wish you all the best on Sunday and I believe you deserve this premiership.”
Under-19 Division 2 Grand Final - Newport Power v Albion - Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee, 9.15am
EL HOULI PROUD OF HIS TEAM’S ACHIEVEMENTS
NEWPORT Power will be aiming to cap off another successful season in the Under-19 Division 2 competition with a premiership victory on Sunday.
Under the guidance of new coach Munir El Houli, the Power finished the season on top of the ladder and easily accounted for Albion in Week 1 of the finals to reach a second consecutive Grand Final.
“It has been an overall exciting and at times tough season this year,” El Houli said.
“The players have maintained an excellent attitude and support system towards one another on and off the field making my first season as coach a great experience.”
El Houli said regardless of the Grand Final result he was proud of what he and his team has been able to achieve.
“It will be an amazing to win the premiership,” he said.
“However it pans out, as long as the boys are enjoying their footy then I’m content with that.
“With the support of the entire football club we back our boys to win it.”
El Houli said the support from Newport’s senior team has meant a lot to him and to the players.
“The general atmosphere around the club has been great,” he said.
“The support my boys get from the senior group of whom they look up to as role models has been extraordinary.
“They’re very excited at the opportunity to go back to back.”
BETTIN AND HIS BOYS READY TO FIRE
AT the beginning of pre-season you could forgive Albion Under-19 coach Mathew Bettin for thinking he would be in for a tough season.
With only five players turning up to their first training session, Bettin knew he had his work cut out for him.
However, with more and more players coming on board, his attitude to season 2016 soon changed and now the team has won a spot in the Sunday’s Grand Final against Newport Power.
“The boys have been committed to their training all year and have earned their spot in this year’s Grand Final,” Bettin said.
“There is a lot of excitement around the club as we are the only Albion team left in the finals.”
Bettin said the team set a goal two months ago to reach the last game of the year, with all players, coaches and trainers showing dedication to the cause.
Last Modified on 31/08/2016 17:02