FOOTBALL
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
MORWELL’S season will be on the line when it meets Wonthaggi in a final for the first time in Gippsland League history.
The Tigers go into Sunday’s do-or -die final after consecutive losses to Sale and Maffra.
Coach Harmit Singh said while his team’s lead up had not been ideal it would draw on the practices that won it 14 from 18 home and away season matches.
“We have just got to back ourselves, stick to our processes and try and get another win,” he said.
“It will be a tough game but (it’s an) elimination final now, we have just got to put our best foot forward and move on and I’ll back our boys to the hilt,” he said. The Power produced its best performance of the season in a come-from-behind elimination final win over Traralgon at the weekend.
“It was a player driven win. That’s how you earn respect… they deserved it,” Wonthaggi coach Robert Railton said.
Morwell has won six of eight clashes against Wonthaggi since the Power’s return to the competition.
This year the ledger is one all, with both teams winning on the road.
Wonthaggi’s form away from home has been almost impeccable this year, winning seven of its nine matches in enemy territory.
Aside from some soreness and late season niggles, both camps are expected to have a full list to choose from.
“It just depends on injuries. There will be some sore boys out of that. I thought this week we were going in unchanged but there was a late change with Travis Krause… who was injured at work last Friday, so he may come back in,” Railton said.
Singh also expected to have everyone available.
“Obviously it is a final and everyone is a bit sore but we will do our recovery and everyone will be available next week,” he said.
Wonthaggi will have to stop forward Dean MacDonald who kicked a qualifying final record nine goals for Morwell in last weekend’s loss to Maffra.
“On his day I don’t think anyone can go with him, I’ve told him and Tarks (Tarkyn Lockyer) has told him he is capable of more and sides try and get on to him now but if anything that only motivates him,” Singh said. Morwell will have its hands full covering Wonthaggi’s big side which has found form at the right end of the year despite players returning “probably a fraction late”.
“Every team has injuries but to get them back just in time has obviously helped us,” Railton said.
“I do (think we can keep winning) but there are probably three or four other sides that think that too, so we know that our brand, if we execute it, will hold up, but that is the challenge isn’t it?” Having won seven straight heading into the second half of the season Wonthaggi was sitting in second and considered a real threat, however it went on to lose four in a row.
“That will test you but that’s what happens, we had a patch where we won seven… so take the good with the bad,” Railton said.
