By Wil Spence
History will be made, this weekend in the Premier Division with Rowville Hawks and Noble Park Bulls vying to put themselves in football folklore winning their first premierships in 10 and 11 years respectively.
Rowville are the form team heading into the weekends game, currently on a five-game winning streak with just the two losses to their name this season, as they search for their first topflight premiership.
It is hard to believe some critics viewed the Hawks as a relegation prospect heading into the season.
Ex-skipper Alex Frawley believes having less pressure heading into the season was the spark needed for the playing group.
“Coming into the year, no one really gave us a chance, and everyone sort of pegged us down towards the bottom, in the end that was almost the best thing for us, it sort of lit a fire under the boys.”
The Hawks were fast starters the last time they played the Bulls earlier in their finals campaign, with Frawley adamant midfield dominance and efficiency inside 50 will play a major factor in the outcome of the game.
“Both teams’ strong area is the midfield,
“I think the game will be won and lost in the midfield – who can get it into their forward line most efficiently – will play a key role and I think that will come down to decision-making and who makes the right decisions on gameday.”
The Hawks are a side oozing with youth and confidence and will continue to play bold and fast from end to end, sticking to the gameplan that has got them this far. However, Frawley believes complacency won’t be a factor, despite their previous outings against the Bulls.
“We back the way we play and our structures, we know our game style can get us over the line, the hardest part is backing it in, in those tight moments and having the cool head to play the way we want to play,
“We’re confident we can beat Noble Park, we know it’s a grand final and anything can happen, we’re prepared for that we’re not relying on our last few wins against them, it’s a brand-new game.”
For Frawley, coming into the twilight of his illustrious career as a Hawk, getting the monkey off the back would be the cherry on top.
“I’ve been here (Rowville) for my whole career and loved every bit of it. Since we’ve been in the Premier League, we’ve been in I think nine finals (without a win) and to get the monkey off the back which everyone is saying would be nice,
I’m nervous, excited, and just ready, I feel like I’ve trained hard, and this is why I’ve stuck around.”
Frawley’s experience has been vital for the younger brigade of Hawks playing in their first senior grand final. Sticking to what you know and performing the basics are the keys for a grand final according to the ex-skipper.
“I know the occasion can get a lot, I’ve been telling them (younger players) to keep it casual, keep doing everything you have been doing all year, stick to the basics and keep doing the small and right things and keep making the right decisions on gameday,
“Grand finals don’t come often, and it would mean a lot to everyone involved at the football club, we’re so excited for the day.”