All roads lead to the home of Millicent united on Sunday as the quest for the dycer constructions premiership heads into the preliminary final.
In the qualifying final last weekend international took Apollo to penalties in a cliff hanger at malseed park, while the sharks had a tough time of shaking off a tenacious gambier centrals at Webb st.
Both sides will be pleased with the fact they are one win away from a shot at glory, but it is inter who on paper will be the most comfortable going into Sunday's do or die clash. Last week inter fought hard against the reigning champions Apollo and despite going down for the fourth time in a row against Apollo, they are getting closer. Taking Apollo to extra time will have provided international coach lou zaccardo with plenty to think about.
The sharks on the other hand will need to improve on last weeks performance against centrals. At the back Craig wright and norton fuller looked very good but there would be question marks over their ability to create chances up front with both goals last week coming via the returning talismatic tobbei kennett. Both coming as a result of set pieces both a result of poor marking.
Historians will point out that back in the late nineties the crays, as they were known then, defeated inter, that result will have little or no impact on Sunday's clash. The two moments that coach John bruttomesso will need to remind his players of is the recent u17 premiership victory by the sharks and the victory only a few weeks ago at Webb st against Apollo.
The u17 premiership remains the clubs finest achievement and the fact that this side contains those stars and their battling qualities are important. That victory showed the sharks have the quality to achieve over an entire season not just week to week. Tobbie kennett, Craig wright, Corey pilven, Heath widdison and last years wbsa medalist matty weistra all defied the odds when they won that premiership.
They have defied the odds twice this year with stirring wins against Apollo and on both occasions they looked true contenders. This Sunday they must shake the tag of pretenders and prove they are title contenders. They have a good squad that boosts a strong defense, a physical midfield and creativity up front, how that midfield matches up against the experienced Marcus morony and the spritely Andrew ielisi will go a long way to deciding this weeks winner.
Both teams have been known to be physical and this will certainly play a major role come Sunday. Ricky mcrobert will be missing due to suspension for inter and both sides will be well aware that this game has the potential to feature a incident or two. Neither side can afford to go a man down as both sides lack the depth of Apollo who can sit back on Sunday and watch events unfold.
International go in as favorites, however if weistra and kennett are up for it it could go either way. For inter they would love another chance to take on old foes Apollo and return to the winners circle, for the sharks it is all about creating history. First win against inter in over a decade and a first finals appearance with a first senior trophy on the horizon, will it all be too much for the young sharks or is it their time?
You can follow all the action live on the round ball radio show on 5gtr fm from 2.00am on Sunday, the game will also be simulcast live for the first time on theroundballblog.blogspot.com.
In the qualifying final last weekend international took Apollo to penalties in a cliff hanger at malseed park, while the sharks had a tough time of shaking off a tenacious gambier centrals at Webb st.
Both sides will be pleased with the fact they are one win away from a shot at glory, but it is inter who on paper will be the most comfortable going into Sunday's do or die clash. Last week inter fought hard against the reigning champions Apollo and despite going down for the fourth time in a row against Apollo, they are getting closer. Taking Apollo to extra time will have provided international coach lou zaccardo with plenty to think about.
The sharks on the other hand will need to improve on last weeks performance against centrals. At the back Craig wright and norton fuller looked very good but there would be question marks over their ability to create chances up front with both goals last week coming via the returning talismatic tobbei kennett. Both coming as a result of set pieces both a result of poor marking.
Historians will point out that back in the late nineties the crays, as they were known then, defeated inter, that result will have little or no impact on Sunday's clash. The two moments that coach John bruttomesso will need to remind his players of is the recent u17 premiership victory by the sharks and the victory only a few weeks ago at Webb st against Apollo.
The u17 premiership remains the clubs finest achievement and the fact that this side contains those stars and their battling qualities are important. That victory showed the sharks have the quality to achieve over an entire season not just week to week. Tobbie kennett, Craig wright, Corey pilven, Heath widdison and last years wbsa medalist matty weistra all defied the odds when they won that premiership.
They have defied the odds twice this year with stirring wins against Apollo and on both occasions they looked true contenders. This Sunday they must shake the tag of pretenders and prove they are title contenders. They have a good squad that boosts a strong defense, a physical midfield and creativity up front, how that midfield matches up against the experienced Marcus morony and the spritely Andrew ielisi will go a long way to deciding this weeks winner.
Both teams have been known to be physical and this will certainly play a major role come Sunday. Ricky mcrobert will be missing due to suspension for inter and both sides will be well aware that this game has the potential to feature a incident or two. Neither side can afford to go a man down as both sides lack the depth of Apollo who can sit back on Sunday and watch events unfold.
International go in as favorites, however if weistra and kennett are up for it it could go either way. For inter they would love another chance to take on old foes Apollo and return to the winners circle, for the sharks it is all about creating history. First win against inter in over a decade and a first finals appearance with a first senior trophy on the horizon, will it all be too much for the young sharks or is it their time?
You can follow all the action live on the round ball radio show on 5gtr fm from 2.00am on Sunday, the game will also be simulcast live for the first time on theroundballblog.blogspot.com.
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