BROCKLESBY-Burrumbuttock co-coach Luke Brauer is confident a spate of late injuries won’t derail the Saints’ season.
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Brauer hopes Jarrod Hillary, Luke Schilg, Nico Sedgwick, Dean Murphy, Eddie Menz and himself will be available to play this weekend or in the major semi-final.
“Everyone is close,” he said.
“We are being cautious but at the same time it’s crucial for us to take momentum into the finals.
“Lockhart beat us last week and it’s crucial we play well against Holbrook on Saturday.
We are being cautious but at the same time it’s crucial for us to take momentum into the finals.
- Luke Brauer
“There is pressure on the guys playing this week to hold their spots for the finals as well.
“Holbrook is playing its last game and has nothing to lose so we expect them to come out and throw everything at the us.”
The big positive for Brocklesby-Burrumbuttock in last weekend’s loss was the form of key forward Joel Hartley.
In only his second senior match of the season, Hartley returned from injury to kick six goals in three quarters.
“We originally planned to play Joel in the reserves but because we had a few missing he came up and played well,” Brauer said.
Brocklesby-Burrumbuttock will play Henty in the major semi-final unless the Swampies lose their final round match to Lockhart at Lockhart.
That isn’t totally out of the question as Shane Lenon’s line-up has beaten Jindera and Brocklesby-Burrumbuttock in the last month and lost to Osborne by seven points.
Henty coach Josh Gaynor remains cautious of the Demons.
“Lockhart has been playing some exceptional football and we know this is going to be a big test for us,” Gaynor said.
Rand-Walbundrie will be eager to put a disappointing season behind them with a strong performance against CDHBU.
“We just haven’t been good enough this season so it would be great to finish with a win,” coach Daniel Athanitis said.
“At the key moments we haven’t been able to stand up and hopefully we can put it all together on the weekend.
“They are a good side though.
“I think everyone is keen to finish on a high note.”
Tiger stars Mark Kimball and Justin Mesman have enjoyed strong years and will need more support to push the Power.
CDHBU matched Henty after a slow start last weekend and should gain the upper hand through their strong midfield brigade led by Kade Rowe, Shay Rhodes and Josh Lewis.
Jindera should enter the finals on a winning note by defeating Walla at Walla.
The Hoppers were blown away by Murray Magpies last weekend and will be hard pressed to counter Josh Walker and his team.
Culcairn do battle with the Magpies at Culcairn.
Howlong has the bye.
