The final hurdle

It’s preliminary final time in the Ovens and King Football Netball League, and the penultimate week of the competition is serving up one of the biggest blockbuster matches of the entire year. Greta and Whorouly will meet at the North Wangaratta Recreation Reserve on Saturday, with the winner to progress through to the grand final After finishing ninth overall last year, Whorouly is just one win away from their first senior grand final appearance since 2012. Coach Michael Newton praised his side’s pressure and willingness to fight through the year and in finals. “The last two months of footy for us has been pretty solid, we’ve been building towards getting a full squad back on the park and growing some belief in the group that what we’ve been working towards, when we do it well, it really holds up against the good sides,” he said. “Getting the belief in the boys, the belief that all the effort and hard work is starting to pay off and we’re starting to reap the rewards. “Obviously the job’s not done, we’ve got two more games to win, but the boys are pretty excited.” The Lions’ defensive structure has been a major component in their surge up the ladder, as well as Newton himself in the forward line. While he has surpassed the previous record of 147 goals in a single O&K season, Newton said everyone was focussed on playing the role the team needed them to perform. “These little milestones are obviously good for the individual, but I’m a part of a group which is driving on everyone playing their role, and me kicking goals is my role,” he said. “Daniel Boyle and Max Scott across the half-back line have been huge for us - Daniel’s last three or four games have been huge for us, and Max, when he’s been there, he’s been one of our most important players in regards to our set-up and structure. “Big Ed Woolford in the ruck on the weekend, it was one of his better performances of the year, he’s starting to understand what’s required in there at the centre bounce. “Prelim finals are very hard to win, and we’ve got to make sure we come ready for the opportunity.” Whorouly’s surge up the ladder and through finals has come with some massive scalps, including wins over both Bright and Milawa, but they haven’t pulled one over on the Blues since 2021. To make it to the big dance, the Lions need to overcome the reigning premiers and arguably the best team in the competition. “Greta’s obviously a very strong side, I’ve said all along they’ve been the best side all year, and they’ve got a lot of match-winners across the park,” Newton said. “We haven’t faced them this year with a full side, and the last time we played Greta we probably had seven or eight of our best side out. “They probably don’t know what to expect against us because they haven’t faced us with a full side, which is a card up our sleeve. “They’re obviously going to win their share of the footy, we’ve just got to limit how it comes out of stoppage and the way they execute.” Meanwhile, Greta’s Josh Bell was cleared to play this weekend after he was found not guilty of striking by the tribunal. Bell was cited during the Blues’ loss to Bright, and offered a two-week sentence with an early guilty plea, however, Bell plead not guilty and successfully argued to have the charge overturned. The senior preliminary final showdown between Greta and Whorouly takes place from 2pm at the North Wangaratta Recreation Reserve. In the midday match, Greta’s reserves squad will attempt to overcome an in-form Bonnie Doon squadron to book their place at WJ Findlay Oval.

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