One Victorian country Grand Final with special significance this weekend involves Kinglake, the Yarra Valley Mountain District football club which has refused to die despite the horror of the February bushfires.Up to half of Kinglake’s playing list had their homes burnt down during the fires, many losing loved ones and friends on the blackest of all Saturday
Players still find it impossible to mask their emotions. Many are still being counselled, several still unable to go back to their old jobs as the memories are still so intense.
Seeing the club’s first and second XVIIIs qualify for last weekend’s preliminary finals was a massive boost to the town which ever-so-slowly is being rebuilt.
While the reserves were gallant in a single-kick loss, the Kinglake seniors are through to the Division Two premiership playoff and on Saturday meet Olinda-Ferny Creek at Woori Yallock.
Olinda Ferny Creek has its three most-senior teams through to the Grand Final: the seniors, reserves (v Yarra Glen) and Under 18s (v Emerald).
The senior team’s defeat of Kinglake in the second-semi at Healesville was set up by a brilliant first quarter onslaught, OFC’s early five goal break proving crucial in a narrow win.
Kinglake’s coach Mick Nott says his team has operated on heart all season and while they were jumped a fortnight ago, the team’s 10 goal win against Seville on preliminary final was a reminder to OFC that Kinglake’s best remains highly competitive.
“We’d love to win Saturday,” he said, “for so many reasons.”
“Over half our list lost their houses (in the fires).”
“The footy club has helped our boys to re-focus and also take a break away from what has been. We’re all very proud to be in the Grand Final. Winning the thing would be sensational.”
Nott believes the emotion of the day will be a huge positive for the Lakers.
“It’s more to do with the players than me,” he said.
“They have shown so much heart this year. They have all been unbelievable. We beat Olinda Ferny Creek at their ground and they beat us at ours. The second-semi was close, too, after the first 15 or so minutes. We know what we need to do.”
Kinglake last won a premiership in 1994 and will enter the game as underdogs despite the presence of goalkicking centurion Brent Gallichio and his three most-able side-kicks, all with 50 goals or more this year in Luke Nott, Tommy Demarco and Matt Thomas.
“We have a real capacity to kick goals,” Nott said, “and our defence has been solid. “Brent has had a great year. He has a magnificent pair of hands.”
“We’re hoping to be as close as possible to our best come selection, especially with James Walker our captain back (he missed the second-semi).”
In an even spread of top-notch country players, Nott said Cameron Scott and Glen Murphy were others with big roles to play as Kinglake looks to cause an upset.
Among the danger players for Olinda Ferny Creek include Scott Tregoning and Glen Stevens, who combines strong running powers with dead-eye-dick goalkicking ability.
Nott said his team was once again being strongly backed after the incredible initial support at the season-start.
“There had been a bit of a lull but all sorts of well wishers have rung or left messages.
The crowds, too, have been great,” he said. “Kinglake loves it when their footy teams make it into the finals.”
Kinglake president Cameron Caine says it would be a “story-book result” if the Lakers were to win on Saturday.
• In YVMDFL Division One football, Upway-Tecoma will play the winner of Sunday’s preliminary final between Woori Yallock and Monbulk at Gembrook. The game starts at 2:10 pm.
• Scott Tregonning, OFC’s champion skipper, won the competition best and fairest, his second such award in two years having also won in Division One last year.
By Ken Piesse
Article first published September 9, 2009
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
