By DAVID NAGEL
PAKENHAM will aim to begin the next step in its rise to once again being respected as a formidable foe when the Lions take on Berwick in Sunday’s elimination final at Toomuc Reserve.
The Lions have improved dramatically from their dismal ninth-placing in 2012, but don’t want a bar of being compared to that … they want to turn back the clock to the halcyon days when the club won finals for fun.
Coach Steve O’Bryan has made a huge impact in his first year at the helm. Off-field he has instilled belief, while on-field he has set a standard in spirit, determination and courage that has been infectious with every passing match.
O’Bryan, along with skipper Dean Blake, Russ Lehman, Beau Wheeler, Cory Lenders and John Atwell will be the driving forces if the Lions are to get the job done.
Berwick’s potent forward of Nathan Waite, Jordy Andrews, Mitch Johnson and Tim Gunn present the biggest danger for the Lions, but back-line leader Nathan Brown will have his young brigade ready for the challenge.
It’s the Lions to progress in a thriller.
SATURDAY’s qualifying final pits a hard-nosed Cranbourne outfit against an exciting challenger in Beaconsfield at Edwin Flack Reserve.
As usual, it will be Cranny’s skipper and the competition’s gun full-forward Marc Holt that will have the biggest say in the outcome. If Holt gets going, his side wins, it’s as simple as that, but if Daniel Battaglin and Kane Airdrie can quell his influence, Beacy’s in with a real live chance.
Cranbourne will win and progress to a second semi-final clash against Narre Warren.
