By: Joseph Arthur
Ferntree Gully will clash with the Waverley Blues this weekend, in a Division 3 preliminary final match-up that could go either way.
Ferntree Gully will look to respond after suffering a heavy loss in its semi-final at the hands of South Belgrave, while Waverley Blues will want to keep its momentum rolling after an upset, come-from-behind win in extra-time over Warrandyte.
Many around the League viewed Waverley Blues as an easy-beat in finals, after faltering in its final two games of the year, including a loss to Warrandyte.
Waverley Blues senior coach Bryce McGain said he was proud of his men for standing tall and refusing to quit in their elimination final last weekend.
“I was really pleased that the guys just didn’t stop, never quit, never gave in and more importantly, played a way they knew suited their strengths,” McGain said.
“Warrandyte kicked the first goal in extra time and the team didn’t lose focus of what they needed to do and how they needed to play.
“They’ve just got an enormous amount of belief in their ability and in what they can do.”
The win for the Blues was a bit of an upset, as Warrandyte had beaten them only a week prior to the finals match-up, but Waverley made it count when it needed to and stole the victory from the jaws of defeat.
After the extra-time thriller, McGain was resolute in saying that his men aren’t done yet and will come into the game against Ferntree Gully with some confidence after winning the last match-up between the two sides.
“We played some pretty good football against them (Ferntree Gully) last time and that gives the guys confidence,” McGain said.
“They have good forwards and a strong midfield as-well, but we know we’ve got a strong midfield that can match theirs up.
“We’ve got some terrific players through there (the midfield) and we know it can hold up against any team.
“It’s about having that even contribution across the ground…through our successes we’ve relied on complete team efforts.
“The stakes are high but the guys are really excited.”
For Ferntree Gully, the build-up to this contest has been a little different, after its 107-point loss to South Belgrave last weekend.
Ferntree Gully senior coach Peter Farrell said it’s not easy to get regain momentum after such a tough loss and his players will need to stay resolute in their belief and commit themselves to this weekend’s match-up.
Sean Currey in action for the Eagles last weekend.
“It is a challenge (to keep the faith), I mean South Belgrave – it’s like playing a first division side – but it’s just new week, new focus for us,” Farrell said.
“We’ve lost one game for the season outside of being beaten by South Belgrave…so outside of that we’ve still got to maintain our self-belief, pull ourselves together and bounce back.”
With the past behind them, the Eagles must be careful not to take this weekend’s match-up lightly.
The Blues have proven they won’t go down easily and have been a tough outing for the Gully in the past.
Farrell said he’s confident in his side’s focus on the upcoming match and trusts his men to bounce back.
“We’ve got to get through Waverley this week which is our real focus,” Farrell said.
“We definitely won’t be complacent.
“Everyone’s got a role to play so at the end of the day we focus on that, maintain a good level of fight in our mindset and try to get the outcome.”
The clash will take place at Jubilee Park on Saturday at 2:10pm with the winner to play South Belgrave in the Division 3 grand final.