One of the Geelong District Football League’s biggest rivalries will reach a crescendo this weekend when Inverleigh and Bannockburn meet in the grand final.
Bannockburn won its way through to the decider with a thrilling preliminary final win against East Geelong while the Hawks enjoyed a week off courtesy of a second semi-final victory against the same opponent.
Inverleigh will go into the game as favourites, having won all three contests against the Tigers this season including a 42-point triumph in the qualifying final three weeks ago.
However, coach Adam Donohue was having none of it.
“Personally I think it all goes out the window – grand finals are all different and are a whole different ball game,” he said.
“I think the past is extremely irrelevant. The rivalry is extremely strong and we should get a great crowd.
Inverleigh goes into the game fresh after a week off that has allowed a trio of players to recover from injuries.
Finley O’Keefe will need to prove his fitness after a shoulder injury but should be clear to play while Matt Tyquin should be right after a corky and Lachie Buyel also has a shoulder complaint, but will be fit for the game.
Donohue, who booted five goals in the second semi-final, said Bannockburn spearhead Kieran Fulton was a dangerman.
“He’s kicked eleven goals in two games, is fast and tall and strong and if he gets his midfield to deliver the ball lace out, there’s not a player who can go with him,” he said.
“We do have a couple of options for him.”
Bannockburn coach Ron Pilgrim is a club legend and knows what grand finals are all about, having played in three premierships.
He is under no illusions that Inverleigh has the wood over his Tigers so far this season.
“We’ve played them three times and they’ve done us three times,” he said.
“I think we just have to stick to what we do well without worrying too much about the opposition. They are a good side.”
Pilgrim’s advice to his players was to enjoy the build up.
“I played in a lot of grand finals and you have to enjoy the week,” he said.
“You’ve got to have belief. We’re a pretty young group. Inverleigh are similar in that they are a bloody good side but our best is good too.”
Pilgrim said stopping dominant Hawks ruckman Luke Wilson was a key to winning the game.
“He gives them first use of the ball,” he said.
“If we can break 50/50 with him it will go a long way to us winning. I think the midfield battle is going to be the key for both sides.”
The GDFL grand final will be held on Saturday September 10 at St Albans at 2.15pm.
