Werris Creek’s Phil Beaton splits Kootingal’s Daniel Sullivan and James Considine in the major semi-final. Photo: Grant Robertson 040812GRA03
WERRIS Creek’s centenary celebrations have always had a Group 4 Second Division premiership written into the script but the Kootingal Roosters can spoil the party at David Taylor Oval in today’s grand final.
Both sides are chock-full of grand final veterans of years past and now it is down to the last 80 minutes of the season to decide where the trophy goes.
Creek coach Ron Dellar said “the time has come” and pressure of grand final week might even be starting to get to the former Clayton Cup-winning coach.
“I was outside earlier and the Roosters were crowing,” Dellar said yesterday.
“They’re having a go at me.”
But his Magpies get to have a go back today.
They are a very experienced outfit with some club stalwarts leading the way.
“We’re looking forward to it,” Dellar said.
“We’ve got Stewart Porter, Rob Symington and Warren Hausfeld has had a few games.
“He’s still part of the side.
“Michael Saunders has only ever played for the Creek and Jason Smith has only ever played for the Creek.
“We get our chance and everything has fallen into place so far.
“We’ve got one to go.”
There has been little between the clubs this year.
The first game went to extra time before the Magpies won it, while the major semi was close until the last minute with the same result.
“It was only in the dying minutes that Stewart Porter scored,” Dellar said.
“It was 22-16 and the score blew out when we scored that try and kicked the goal.
“There’s not much between us.
“We’ll do the same as we’ve done.
“There will be no difference,” he said.
“We know where their strong points are.”
Both sides have good packs and some smart players around the rucks.
Creek’s forward rotation is impressive, even with one of their big men from the major semi out of action.
Mick Clark returns and Jye Stanford has been added to the squad of 20.
“We lost Shane O’Donohue with three fractures in his jaw,” Dellar said.
“But we’ve still got four front-rowers.
“Clark goes into the starting side.
“We’ve got a squad of 20 and we’ll decide as the game goes.
“Someone will be disappointed but there’s nothing we can do about it.”
A big crowd will roll in and most will probably back the home side.
“We’ve got a few advantages,” Dellar said.
“We’ve got the home crowd behind us, it’s our 100 years and the home ground.
“That’s got to be worth five or 10 points for us for a start.”