Theoretically, Holbrook should be watching Sunday's first semi-final at Urana Road Oval from the sidelines.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Holbrook started the season 1-5 to slump to ninth on the ladder and looked dead and buried as a finals contender.
But someone obviously forgot to tell the Brookers.
The Brookers will instead head into Sunday's clash against arch rival Culcairn chock-full of confidence after notching 10 wins, two losses and a draw from their past 13 matches.
Brookers key forward, Andrew Dear, attributes the stunning turnaround to coach Matt Sharp who never doubted his charges.
"Right from the start of pre-season, Sharpy has instilled a level of belief in us," Dear said.
"He believes in us and we believe in what he is trying to do.
"We probably didn't play to the standard we were capable of early and paid the price.
"We ended up having a fairly open and honest chat after round six and a few home truths were aired.
"We were at the crossroads and could have easily went through the motions for the rest of the season.
"But we decided we wanted to dig in deep and try and make something of the season and play finals."
IN OTHER NEWS
The Brookers will enter the clash as underdogs after the Lions won both clashes so far this season.
"Culcairn have knocked us of twice and deserve to be favourites," he said.
"But we are confident our best footy is capable of matching anyone.
"A recent win against Brock-Burrum and a draw against Osborne proves that."
Dear arrived from Holbrook this season from Tallangatta where he had spent the previous four years.
The strong marking forward said it didn't take him long to learn about the fierce rivalry between the two neighbouring clubs.
"From the day I arrived at the club, everyone has pumped up this rivalry with Culcairn and how much they dislike them," he said.
"Especially the stalwarts around the club like Bert Haynes who often comes down to training to remind us what he thinks of Culcairn.
"You soon get an understanding of how big the rivalry is and how much it would mean to our supporters if we could knock them off.
"There was a huge crowd last time we played and it will be bigger again on Sunday."
