AFTER being kayoed by the rule book last year, Kiwis will be hoping for better fortunes tomorrow when they shoot for a Tamworth men’s first grade grand final berth.
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Last year they missed out on a spot in the decider on a technicality after drawing the preliminary final 4-all with Services Workies.
As the higher finishers, Workies progressed through to the final where they beat Tudor Wests to claim a sixth straight men’s premiership.
Workies are already there this year, awaiting the winner of tomorrow’s clash between Kiwis and Tudors.
Kiwis have struck good form of late and were 4-1 victors when the two met a fortnight ago.
They will take some confidence from that but won’t be taking it for granted.
“They (Tudors) will be up for it,” Kiwis captain-coach Josh Worpel said.
He expects them to really look to try to take it to them physically.
“We are a younger side,” he said.
“We’ve only got about four people over 20.”
He said Tudors were pretty good defensively.
“They don’t let too many soft goals through,” he said.
“Generally you’ve got to fight for them.”
“Finchy (Andrew Finch) and Jock (Evans) back there are obviously pretty good,” he said.
“We just have to play it smart and find those easy balls in.”
The midfield will be the key.
If they can get the ball rolling around through there and to the strikers up front, they will cause Tudors some problems.
Harry Lewin has been in great form for them up front.
“This is the best I’ve seen him play,” Worpel said.
“He’s been good for us all season.
“He does know where the back of the net is.”
Lewin’s efforts haven’t escaped Tudors captain-coach Sam Lobsey’s attention either.
“Harry is running amok at the moment,” the injured star said.
Worpel and Matt Sing are also threats with their ability to throw the overhead.
“They’ve got us there in the past,” Lobsey said.
They go in wary, knowing Kiwis will be confident, but at the same time with a renewed confidence themselves after their two-goal loss to Workies last week.
They had had a few poor results leading into that, losing Lobsey (to injury) leaving them with a big hole to fill.
“Our structure we’ve been trying to work on is getting there,” Lobsey said.
“Hopefully everyone can step up.
“If we do that we can get the result.”
The big thing for them will be making something of their opportunities.
“When we get into the circle we need to get results,” Lobsey said.
“We need to get something out of our attacking plays.”
Whether it’s a short corner or a goal.
“Otherwise we’ll find ourselves back-tracking,” he said.
It’s about being a bit smarter around the circle, making sure they’re doing the work to be available off the ball and being a bit more patient.
“And at times we rush,” he said.
