Sport
15 September, 2022
MCDFNL grand final day returns after three years, competing teams ready for battle
The final preparations are underway for tomorrow’s first Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League grand final day since 2019, with coaches leaving nothing to chance in terms of being at their best. Carisbrook, looking for their...
The final preparations are underway for tomorrow’s first Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League grand final day since 2019, with coaches leaving nothing to chance in terms of being at their best.
Carisbrook, looking for their third premiership in four attempts, will face Harcourt — themselves looking for their first premiership since 2007 — as the showpiece event on the field at Princes Park, while on the court, a decade-long drought will be broken when Natte Bealiba and Lexton face off.
For Carisbrook coach Luke Treacy, it’s business as usual for a man who has experienced so much success in this competition, yet is eager to achieve so much more this weekend.
“I’m excited, as are the rest of the team. We’re really proud to be back here. I’m really happy with what they have achieved, but the job is far from done. It’s all about getting the preparation right, and then giving out our best shot,” he said.
“Thankfully, a few of us have been here before, and are very aware of the six-day break and how important getting the rehab right is, with the sleep, the recovery and the massages. The boys are staying relaxed and keeping it low-key, but they are excited and ready to roll.
“The boys are in good form and are aware of the task at hand against a very good team.”
The Redbacks have confirmed that co-coach Dean Chester will be the single change from the team that swept aside Trentham by 74 points on Sunday afternoon due to a knee injury, but Treacy says that his work as both a co-coach and a player means that he will still be seen as a critical part of the team’s success in 2022, regardless of what happens on Saturday.
“It’s very disappointing for Dean. He is a great leader, and a great player, so we are going to miss that. But it gives us a bit of extra incentive to win,” he said.
“He’s put the work in and if we do win, there is justice served that he will still get a medal as a co-coach if we are successful.”
It’s a different story for Alex Code, co-coach of Harcourt. He chooses to reflect on the journey that has seen the Lions return to the grand final for the first time since their 2007 premiership success against Avoca.
“With the COVID situation, the last three years have been a bit of a journey from when I started coaching at Harcourt. It’s been a lot of hard work, and I would love to come out the other side with something to show for it. Last year, getting the minor premiership was a hollow feeling, especially without playing Trentham and getting over them by just two percent. The community is pretty excited,” he said.
“When I started coaching, my aim was to get locals back to the club, as well as bolstering juniors, so it’s been massive. We’re able to have so many local players that can hopefully celebrate this weekend.”
Code admits he was much more nervous about the preliminary final last week, but now that he knows his squad can respond to pressure when needed, it’s been a much more relaxed attitude within the Harcourt camp this week.
“I was a bit more nervous last week, given the week off. I wasn’t sure if we had done enough going into the prelim. But this week, I am feeling more calm. We have a lot of belief among the group, and that’s helping us go a long way,” he said.
Code also confirmed at least one change, with Nick Matricardi to miss with a collarbone injury.
“Nick Matricardi is unlucky with his injury. He does all the little things that go unnoticed. We hope to have a couple coming in, but we will work that out. We had a few sore bodies, but everyone can get up for a grand final,” he said.
For Lexton and Natte Bealiba, their superb preliminary final performances mean that they have well and truly earned their chance for a premiership, with Lexton last successful in 2012, while Natte will be looking for their first A grade premiership since 2011.
The opportunity to end the drought is not lost on Sarah Fisher and her Tigers team, who have come all the way from fifth to be in the decider.
“I am very excited. It’s all I’ve been thinking about the last few days. I can’t wait for Saturday,” she said.
“It’d be amazing to break the drought. I’d coached for a few years beforehand, but never had the chance to coach a premiership, so it’s exciting for me, but the girls as well. Some of them have never won a grand final. We’re all just doing it for each other and the club as well.”
Fisher says the community has been critical to all the support the Tigers have received across this year’s finals series so far, and will be calling on all their support in order to succeed on Saturday.
“We had our training session on Thursday, and we’re all excited to get out there. The B and C grades will be supporting us. We are working on a few things specifically for Saturday,” she said.
“We have the club and the community around us cheering us on as we try to bring the cup home. It’s a great community and we can’t wait to get out there and redeem ourselves after our last game against Natte.”
Natte Bealiba coach Sue Borserio, in her first year in the role, is keen to enjoy the atmosphere, saying both teams would be thoroughly deserving of the premiership.
“I think it will be a challenging game for the A grade girls. They need to be ready to have a red hot crack. Lexton have come into the finals series and proven they are good enough to beat the top teams. Just like us, they have nothing to lose. The best team on the day will get it done. The Lexton team are a lovely group of girls, and I wish them the best,” she said.
“It’s a big deal for the community, particularly for the playing group. It’s been a tough two years getting back into sport, and I’m sure the Lexton girls feel the same. It’s just good to be back on the court, playing with a great bunch of friends. Win or lose, they should be extremely proud of where they have come from and what they have learned this year, and it’s about backing each other and being the best teammates they can be.”
Borserio says that she’ll remain open-minded with her selection for the game, owing to her approach which will also see the B grade girls vie for premiership glory.
“We’ll be keeping it interesting with our selection meetings this week with our squad approach for both the A and B grade girls, but we have a pool of 16 to pick from, and use all our players across A and B,” she said.
