BRUCK’s formidable finals record holds no fear for Yarrawonga-Mulwala heading into the weekend’s decider.
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After all, the Lakers boast a perfect grand final record since joining the Wangaratta and District Association in 2008.
However, captain Lee Fraser said he had nothing but respect for Bruck’s recent era of dominance.
The club has won four of the past five WDCA titles.
The Lakers (2012) are the only other club to win a flag in that time.
“Bruck has been the benchmark over a long period of time, there’s no doubt about that,” Fraser said this week.
“They’ve got a lot of finals experience and will be up for the task.
“They have match-winners all down their list.”
The Lakers cruised into the decider with a devastating win over Myrtleford last weekend.
After skittling the Saints for just 51 in one of the bowling performances of the season, Yarrawonga-Mulwala lost just one wicket on its way to an easy victory.
Fraser said the lop-sided result was a great confidence boost.
Matt Knight has undoubtedly been Yarrawonga-Mulwala’s shining light this season, scoring 453 runs and taking 32 wickets in his 13 games.
He enters the decider in cracking form, too, taking 6-21 with the ball at the weekend and following up with an unbeaten 43 at the top of the order as the Lakers brushed the Saints aside.
Fraser said there wasn’t just one area the Lakers needed to excel in to win the grand final encounterthis weekend.
They need to do everything well.
“We need to play two days of consistent cricket,” he said.
“I think we’ve proven over the last month or so our bowling has been outstanding but we took a lot of confidence out of our start with the bat on the weekend.
“We don’t need to change too much.”
Fraser said the Lakers would take a full-strength team into the grand final.