Two months ago, Chelsea coach Jason Chapple wrote The Pythons off . Picture: Chris Eastman Source: Leader
A COMMENT made by Chelsea coach Jason Chapple on local radio about two months ago will be used as motivation by Pines in this Saturday's finals-deciding Round 18 clash.
The Pythons believe Chapple was hasty to write them off as a finals contender.
"Chapple was on the radio and he basically said: 'Mathematically Pines can make it but really it's out of six teams'," Pines coach Gary Connolly said.
"He wrote us off. A few of the boys heard that and they came to the game saying, 'did you hear him?'
"Hopefully there's still a bit of fire in the belly and the boys always seem to remember these little things. I'm sure it will come up during the week."
Pines, fifth, can secure its first finals berth since 2003 by beating third-placed Chelsea. But a loss could see it miss out - if an in-form Seaford, sixth, beats Langwarrin.
"We're definitely going to be very aggressive and physical at the footy," he said.
"We're going to put our heads over it and go in real hard. We're going to attack Chelsea ... they're going to be in for a hard battle."
Pines lost to Karingal by 65 points last Saturday after slipping back to bad habits, according to Connolly. "We were very undisciplined," he said.
For Karingal, star big man Brendon Lade kicked six goals and assisted in another six. With him, the Bulls can go a long way in the finals.
Meanwhile, Seaford looks a good chance to snatch a finals berth after thrashing Bonbeach by 65 points, with Chris Fortnam again starring.
Luke Damon drilled nine goals in Chelsea's 111-point win over Mornington, which scored only 25 points.
Mt Eliza's nightmarish season continued when it lost to Langwarrin by 16 points, despite Scott Lockwood's bag of seven goals. Nathan Pike, Jarrad Amalfi and Dylan Luxa were best for Langy.
And Frankston YCW was tested before brushing aside Edi-Asp by 57 points, with Ash Eames starring in the Stonecats' 16th win.
This week: Pines v Chelsea, Mornington v Edi-Asp, Frankston YCW v Mt Eliza, Langwarrin v Seaford, Bonbeach v Karingal.