THEY’RE a freight train charging toward their sixth flag in eight seasons but Lavington coach James Saker believes his side is well prepared to take on Albury.
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The Panthers were ruthless in accounting for an injury-hit Yarrawonga at the Albury Sportsground on Saturday and Saker said they were running into top form at the right time of the season.
Luke Garland was best-on-ground with three goals across half-forward, Brant Dickson got through his second match from a serious ankle injury and Jacob Way negated the influence of Pigeon champ Xavier Leslie.
After going 16-2 and 15-3 in 2014-15, the Panthers finished 2016 with a 12-6 record as they set about hitting their straps at the business end.
“We’ll take a lot of confidence that our build up this year has been planned to arrive at this point going as well as we possibly can be,” Saker said.
“We’ve had a few bumps along the way but we approach Albury next week with confidence.
“We will try and play our best brand against them and the beauty of it being a second semi-final is if what we try works and we get success, we’re through to a grand final and if it doesn’t, we can reassess and plan for the future.”
Saker said veteran Adam Butler was almost certain to return against the Tigers in the second semi-final after sitting out the past two matches with a hamstring complaint.
Will Lenehan faces a battle to be fit after suffering an ankle injury against the Pigeons and finishing the day on crutches but Saker said Panthers defender would give himself every chance of taking on the Tigers.
“It was just a rolled ankle but it blew up more than a normal one,” he said.
“He’s done a few in his time but he will stick his hand up, he’s pretty tough.”
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