CDHBU coach Damian Payne has played down suggestions his team will take a psychological advantage into Sunday’s clash against Howlong at Walbundrie.
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Despite defeating the Spiders by three points in round five and 24 points in round 17, Payne said the results would carry little weight in the elimination final.
“Finals are a completely different ball game,” Payne said.
I don’t think the result two weeks earlier has anything to do with it
- Damian Payne
“It’s back to level pegging.
“Anyone on their day can win the game.
“I don’t think the result two weeks earlier has anything to do with it.”
Price said Howlong was unfazed by previous results.
“I don’t think it’s a factor,” Price said.
“We had big ‘Cooky’ (Peter Hancock) play at centre half-forward against them the other week and we tried a fair few things.
“We kicked 2.5 to 1.0 in the first quarter.
“To be honest, I don’t think either side took too much out of the day.
“We have played them five times in just under 12 months and we know a fair bit about each other.
“It’s going to be tight that’s for sure.”
CDHBU and Howlong will field considerably different sides to when they clashed a fortnight ago with Power star Adam Houlihan the most notable inclusion.
Howlong jumped at the opportunity to sit out Joel and Troy Price, Steve Fouracre and Hancock against Brocklesby-Burrumbuttock last week.
Dion Munkara and Rohan Davies are also chances of playing.
“I would say Davies is 50-50 and so is Dion,” he said.
“I’ll find out more in the next day.
“We’ll see what happens there.”
While the Spiders may have been susceptible on the big Walbundrie ground last year, the influx of youngsters has overcome their lack of speed.
Hamish Clark is on the radar of several Ovens and Murray clubs and shapes as a match-winner in the midfield with his clever ball use and ability to break the lines.
He finished runner-up to Hancock in the Spiders’ best and fairest count.
Payne said Hancock, who has signed on at Howlong for next season, is always a threat.
“You have to try and keep the ball away from him,” Payne said.
“He’s had a great year and we’ll try and nullify him as much as we can.
“Both sides are hard-running and you just need to utilise your strengths in finals.”
CDHBU will field four teams in this year’s finals series.
Meanwhile, Jindera’s Julian Hayes is the round 18 Suncorp Rising Star.