MOYHU completed a stunning home and away season by recording its 16th win on the trot on Saturday, wrapping up the minor premiership in the process when it thumped Bonnie Doon by 69 points.
But as pleased as he was with his side's form, coach John McNamara couldn't help but question the scheduling of the Ovens and King qualifying finals, with the Hoppers almost certain to face Whorouly at Milawa this Saturday.
"We wanted to finish on top of the ladder and earn the right to play a final on the best ground, but unfortunately that's not the way it works," McNamara said.
"You would think there would be some kind of advantage to finishing first.
"I guess All Blacks would be jumping up and down if they had to play (against Milawa) at Milawa, but I don't think it's right that we have to play there.
"Maybe they scheduled (the finals venues) a bit too early."
Despite his reservations about the Milawa oval, McNamara said the Hoppers would take a healthy degree of optimism into the final against Whorouly, given they have an 8-1 record when travelling this year, and defeated the Lions by 72 points when they met in round 11.
"Earlier in the season we had a stretch where we played six out of seven matches away from home and we won them all," he said.
"I think the boys have shown they can play well anywhere, so it's not going to be a problem.
"Whorouly will want to come out and prove a few people wrong they had a few players out injured last time.
"We will just have to focus on our own performance and try to make sure we get that right I'm sure it's not going to be an easy match."
Moyhu's win over Bonnie Doon came despite the fact star on-baller Nathan Waite left the ground in the opening minutes and took no further part in the match.
McNamara praised the efforts of fellow midfielders Ryan Craig and Jaimon McGeehan, who stepped up in Waite's absence.
"Nathan had a back spasm, so he played no part in the game," he said.
"It was probably more of a precautionary thing we didn't want to run the risk of him making it worse or tearing a hamstring.
"It's always difficult when you are playing one short, and it was a warm day, so not being able to rotate as often did have an effect on the players.
"Craigy stepped up for us he kicked three important goals in the first quarter and Jaimon had another good game as well."
While regular full forward Scott Thomson missed once again with general soreness, McNamara was more than pleased with the efforts of fellow goal kickers Jeremy Wilson (eight goals) and Dave Renton (two goals).
"Jeremy was terrific again," he said.
"When Thommo's not there he has consistently stepped up for us, kicking his sevens and eights, and he has been doing it against good sides.
"Dave missed about six weeks in the middle of the year with a sore knee this was his third match back and the best one yet.
"He's getting better every week, and to have a guy at 6'4" fit and healthy coming into finals, that's a real bonus."
BY - SCOTT ANDERSON.
www.nenews.com.au
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TIGHT GRIP: Moyhu's Reece Bilney tackles Wayne Lockhart. PHOTO: Cheryl Browne
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Last Modified on 23/08/2011 14:30
