Nar Nar Goon coach Matt Shorey is as excited as a kid on Christmas Day as he prepares for Saturday’s WGFNC grand final against Tooradin-Dalmore at Garfield.
Shorey returns to one of his former home grounds, desperate to etch a first senior premiership onto his coaching honour roll.
He insists the undefeated ladder leaders are ready to produce their best, rain, hail or shine…or even worse!
“Garfield means a lot to me, I played there for a season years ago, my wife is Garfield, I’ve got friends in Garfield, so it’s incredible to be back on that ground for the big dance,” Shorey explained.
“This team knows how to play the game, they play it well, they play the ground well and it’s set up to be a cracking contest.
“People are talking about the weather, but I don’t care if a tsunami comes; I’m so excited about this day…it’s what you play footy for.
“That’s what I’ve told the group, to embrace it, embrace the week and enjoy it.
“We’ll have nerves, we’ll have anxiety, but when the siren sounds we go out and showcase what we’ve done all year.”
Of course there’s an opposition to contend with – the feared underdog – and the added pressure of going through the season undefeated.
Shorey expects a desperate Tooradin to hit the contest hard, but has full belief that the Goon will resist anything thrown its way.
“I know Jordy Kelly well and I’ve also been in his position, when you’re playing the top side, so I know different things will be thrown at us, a few moments here and there, but the one good thing this team has done really well this year is adapt to situations and not get annoyed when little things go wrong,” he said.
“It’s a team thing; it’s a very balanced team and that’s what has got us to where we are now.
“It’s a balanced team, it’s not about individuals and it’s all about performing as a team.”
Shorey said the team ethos is powerfully led from the front.
“It’s led by the captain (Trent Armour), there’s no doubt about it, the guy is incredible on and off the field,” Shorey enthused.
“He would give up his spot for someone else if it meant Nar Nar Goon would win a game of footy.
“He doesn’t like too much recognition Trent, he’s a very quiet man, but he’ll go down in history as the best Nar Nar Goon player ever.
“That’s where the team orientation comes from; from the top, and Trent epitomises that spirit at Nar Nar Goon.
“Hopefully we can showcase that team-first mentality on Saturday.”
Tooradin-Dalmore does have the edge in one area, AFL experience, and Shorey acknowledges the danger these players bring to the table.
Names like Shane Savage, Adam Oxley, Matt Buntine and emerging talent Jesse Craven will have a prominent place on the whiteboard.
“We have to look at their A Graders, they’re good ball users; Savage going forward was a good call from Jordy last week and a big factor in their win,” Shorey said.
“Craven spent more time forward as well, they kicked six between them, they kicked 11 for the game, so those guys are damaging if they get off the hook.
“We’re well aware of that and we’ve got scenarios for every position they play; Oxley off half back, we’re aware of that, but they’ll be doing the same thing at Tooradin.
“One of their big guns could have a day out and we have to ready and prepared for that.”
Shorey is focussed on leading the club to back-to-back flags and providing a huge reward for an incredible off-field team.
“The level of anxiety last week was probably more than now: I just wanted to know who we were playing, but I’m at ease a lot more now,” he said.
“I trust what we’ve done all year, I trust what the club has done and how it has set things up, and there are so many good people who crave success on the weekend.
“I always refer back to Paddy Noonan; a guy who does incredible things for the players and is always at the club, and I know the players realise how much it means to him and others as well.
“Glenn Cross, Chris Parker, these guys are great guys to run a footy club because they understand standards and culture…and they bring it.
“They want to make sure this club is successful for many years to come.”
