Newborough v Fish Creek @ Morwell East
Only a fortnight ago, Newborough managed to hold off a fast finishing and physical Fish Creek side by just five points, and in doing so became the first club to lock in their position for a grand final berth.
On the weekend, Fish Creek rebounded from that same defeat with an impressive and ruthless win over Thorpdale.
One hundred and twenty minutes of football this Saturday afternoon will determine one of these two teams as a premiership team forever, and for some it will be their first and for others their last, but what is guaranteed is the moment will be forever remembered by players and coaches, supporters and volunteers alike.
Both teams feel as though they are ready.
Craig Skinner, Newborough coach “ Last week for us was about recovery and preparation. Recovery from the second semi and preparation for what to expect again and how to be better for longer. It was good to have a look at the newer, more expensive version of Fish Creek from our round two encounter. Jarrod has experience down back, bulked up talent through the midfield and a forward line that is in form. They got a bruise free run into the Grand final so it will be a shootout, with the team who shoots straight with the most to celebrate. At this stage we can only see one change on the bigger Morwell east Stage and expect to have more space to run with Mitchell and Wheildon training like caged lions and Josh Hecker ready to launch after missing the semi with concussion at work. Our Midfield were beaten last time we played for the first time all year so it has been difficult to hold Pat Charles and Liam Flahavin from over training. Our backline have been having secret meetings, Hayden Prestige has gone in football analysis mode, Jack Robbo rings me daily for footy updates and Jake Bowden has become our opposition analyst, so I feel like we are ready and couldn’t be happier playing the best challenger. We were here last year and we are different people for the experience, the feeling around the club is different and the way we will play will be different, the opposition is different expecting a great game and a different result come Saturday night.”
There were many physical clashes between these two sides in the second semi-final and there is no reason to think the same won't play a part on the weekend.
There will be nowhere to hide from either side, and you wouldn't expect any player to be wanting anything that being in the middle of the action anyway.
The players will be under pressure, as will the umpires whose reputations are also affected by the performances in the big games, and all involved wouldn't want it any other way.
Jarrod Walker, Fish Creek “A very exciting week for the whole club with a few netball teams in grand finals as well, the town will be buzzing. We gained a lot of confidence from our previous encounter with Newborough, although the result didn’t go our way that day, we showed we can mix it with the best. Momentum is a big thing in finals and I feel we gained a lot of that from the prelim final. We are 100% in”
Newborough are yet to taste defeat in 2023, a draw earlier in the year as close as they have come, meaning there is potential for the Bulldogs to be both premiers and champions in a year in which the competition has never been so even.
Last time they met:
Round 2
Fish Creek 4-6-30 def by Newborough 17-6-108
What the coaches said at the time:
Craig Skinner, Newborough "To travel to Fish Creek and come home with 4 points is a victory to do it with good players missing is a win for the club. Was very impressed with how we moved the ball Saturday and the attitude we took into the game.”
Jarrod Walker, Fish Creek “Tough day at the office for us today, showed glimpses of what we can do, but a well drilled newborough proved too strong.”
2nd Semi Final
Newborough 9-6-60 def Fish Creek 7-13-55
What the coaches said:
Craig Skinner, Newborough coach "Was the most contested game we have had for the year, took a long time to get clean position and when we felt like the game was on our terms Fish Creek denied us the ball and won most of the 50/50 contests in the last quarter. We had to be clinical to not allow any decisions or momentum to continue going the same direction, and although we struggled for winners on the day Peter Jibba Ainsworth was our best attack on the ball and kept us in the game on more than one occasion.”
Jarrod Wallker, Fish Creek coach "Great game of footy, not sure what it looked like from the crowd but it was a cracking game to be playing in. Momentum swings all day and at times looked like both sides could have run away with it. Great atmosphere and what finals football is all about Would have been great to get the win, but will need to butter up and get prepared for next week. Gained a lot of belief from today and can’t wait for the next challenge ahead.”
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