AHEAD of the Division 2 Grand Final, WRFL Media Manager Kristen Alebakis speaks with the Division 2 Seniors and Reserves coaches.
Read what all four coaches have to say about the final match of 2017 below.
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CALLAWAY HOPES TO GET REWARD FOR EFFORT
By KRISTEN ALEBAKIS
IN his final season as Yarraville Seddon’s senior coach, Dean Callaway, hopes his team can achieve the ultimate success on Sunday.
The Eagles have reached their second successive Division 2 Senior Grand Final and will go head-to-head with rivals North Footscray in the decider.
“There is a great feeling and buzz around the club,” Callaway said.
“Finals footy is great to be part of. This is the reward you get for putting in the hard yards throughout the pre-season/season.”
Callaway admits it has been difficult to keep his players motivated at times this season due to the fact Division 2 was only a six team competition, however he says he is excited at the prospect of creating some history for the Eagles this weekend.
He said the focus in the lead-up to the Grand Final was to keep things simple.
“We want to make sure the players are relaxed, but excited at what’s ahead of them,” he said.
Sunday’s Grand Final will be Callaway’s last game as coach. Before finals began, the club announced this year would be his last in the top job.
Callaway has coached the seniors for the past three seasons, he has also coached the Eagles’ Reserves and Under-18’s.
Callaway wanted to thank all of the clubs volunteers for their help and support during his time at the club
“The work they do for the club is amazing, the club wouldn’t survive if we didn’t have people who love the club like they do.”
BORLASE TELLS PLAYERS TO GIVE IT EVERYTHING
By KRISTEN ALEBAKIS
NORTH Footscray coach Shaun Borlase hopes he can cap-off his coaching tenure at the Devils with a premiership on Sunday.
Last month, Borlase announced he had made the difficult decision to step down as coach at the end of the year.
“I have a young family, work commitments and live in Bacchus Marsh,” he said.
“It’s time to take a breath and step away from footy for a while. I will always be a supporter of the North Footscray Football Club and plan on attending as many games as I can next year.”
Borlase said this season has been more challenging than initial expectations, saying all teams in Division 2 have been extremely competitive.
“We have believed that our best footy is good enough to put us in a position to win a premiership. We get that opportunity on Sunday,” he said.
“Our young blokes have more than exceeded our expectations in their impact and consistency week to week.
“Adam Petridis, Brody Vorano and Jack Vorano are leading the way with speed and a willingness to take on the opposition.”
Borlase and his men will take on a determined Yarraville Seddon Eagles outfit in the Grand Final.
He said their path to reaching this Sunday’s clash at Burbank Oval began in 2014.
“This journey began in 2014, building the club up after a couple of difficult years in Division 1 with Walshy and other support staff,” Borlase said.
“We have had our ups and downs and even this year, we have done it the hard way.
“This game means so much to the playing group, who know that the opportunity to win a Grand Final does not come around very often.
“The club has always been supportive with everything I have planned and implemented and I would love to pay their loyalty back with a Premiership Cup.”
On the eve of his final game as head coach, Borlase wanted to thank all the people involved with the North Footscray Football Club. He says without their support week in week out, the club wouldn’t be in the position it is in today.
Borlase also wanted to share one final message to his playing group.
“This playing group is very close, they have put the hard work required to get this opportunity and to them I say give all that you have to each and every contest and the rewards will your way.”
EAGLES EYE BACK-TO-BACK TITLES
By KRISTEN ALEBAKIS
PETER Lazzaro understands how hard it is to win one premiership let alone back-to-back flags, however his side is just one win away from doing just that.
The Eagles have had another stellar season in the Division 2 Reserves competition and will look to cap off the year with a win over North Footscray in Sunday’s decider.
“The feeling around the club has been fantastic, with both the Seniors and Reserves in the Grand Final and the Under-19's in finals as well, everyone is pumped,” Lazzaro said.
“To go back-to-back would be extremely special, as we all know it’s hard enough to win one flag.
“To go back-to-back is going to be difficult, but very rewarding for all involved, if we are lucky enough to get over the line.”
Lazzaro said the group wouldn’t be doing anything out of the ordinary this week as they prepare for the final challenge.
“We have been preparing by trying to keep it as normal as possible around the club, recovery has been a focus this week,” he said.
“We will keep doing the things that has got us into this position.
“We are preparing for a Grand Final so we have been lifting the intensity with our drills.”
Lazzarro wanted to thank all the people who have supported not only him this season, but those who have supported the players.
“We have a tight knit group of supporters who are fantastic,” he said. “The support staff are so good and help the players and myself so much.
“The players have been absolutely sensational this year and have responded really well when necessary. The boys are a special group who I respect and appreciate.”
LAST YEAR’S LOSS GIVES DEVILS THE MOTIVATION
By KRISTEN ALEBAKIS
LAST year’s devastating preliminary final loss to eventual premiers the Yarraville Seddon Eagles is being used as motivation for North Footscray this year.
Devils coach Barry Neville said it would be a great achievement if the club were to take home the Reserves premiership cup, but understands work still needs to be done.
“There is a real air of excitement around the club that goes with making a Grand Final,” he said.
“For us the feeling goes a little deeper. Missing out last year and our humbling performance against a well drilled Yarraville Seddon Eagles outfit in the Semi Final has inspired us to fight for this opportunity. We will re-group and bring a more worthy performance come Sunday.”
Neville said the club has had some injuries along the way, which has affected the make-up of the side. But says on the flip side, the Devils have been able to blood some new talent and give players the opportunity to take the next step with their footy careers.
“It would be a great achievement for our football club if we were able to win both grades,” he said.
“The committee and support staff have worked extremely hard over the past few years to get the club up to competing for the flag.
“For myself it will be rewarding to be a part of the clubs success. It’s great to see so many players that have stuck around the club through good and bad times have this opportunity.”
Neville wanted to wish his team and his opponents, the Eagles, all the best in Sunday’s Grand Finals. He said the two clubs have had some wonderful clashes this season and expects the decider to be no different.
“I would like to thank all my support staff, Brad Rolfo, Kane Neville, Mat Firth and Adam McMahon. Also to Shaun Borlase and Matt Walsh for their Coaching support,” he said.
“Thanks to the Leadership group lead by Mat Bushell, together we have grown this team to get us to this final hurdle, and finally to all our players that are not taking the field for whatever reason this weekend, your contribution has not gone unnoticed.”
Last Modified on 07/09/2017 10:24