Forward threat: LBU's Thomas Leech, who has kicked 32 goals for the Cats this season, could play a key role against Colbinabbin on Saturday. Photo: Steve Huntley
Forget the tomato sauce, shelve the mayonnaise and ditch the barbecue sauce — none of those condiments can describe how pumped Lockington-Bamawm United is for Saturday’s preliminary final against Colbinabbin .
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“The boys are keen as mustard,” LBU coach Brodie Collins said.
And they should be. The Cats have a second chance to reach the grand final following their 31-point loss to Mount Pleasant last week, only their second loss of the season.
A win over the Hoppers would earn them a shot at redemption against Mounts in the decider, while a loss would see their finals campaign come to an end.
The Cats are looking to claim their first premiership since 2014, and Collins said his side knew it would need to improve after last weekend’s performance in order to do so.
“We have to play better as a team, there is no doubt about that. We had too many individuals last time round,” he said.
“We need to turn up with the right mentality and the right hunger for the game. There is no tomorrow now, so we really need to be on structurally and physically.
“But we will bounce back as a unit and as a team and keep doing what we have been doing. It has been good enough for the rest of the year so there is no reason to change anything now.”
Words of wisdom: LBU coach Brodie Collins speaks to his players during last week’s clash against Mount Pleasant. Photo: Steve Huntley
The Cats finished on top of the ladder for the second year in a row, but Collins said he didn’t think there was any pressure on his side after back-to-back minor premierships.
In fact, after last week’s loss, he said it was just the opposite.
“The pressure is just a part of finals football, and I think the fact that we lost last week, the monkey is off our back a little bit.
“We are now the underdogs going into each game, I think we can really loosen the shackles and have a red-hot crack at it.”
LBU and Colbinabbin have faced off twice this year, with both sides earning a win each.
Colbo ended LBU’s 18-game winning streak dating back to the start of 2019 with their 47-point victory in round eight, while LBU extracted some revenge with a 44-point triumph in round 17.
“I’m expecting a good game, Colbinabbin are a really well-drilled side,” Collins said.
“They play some fast footy when they want to and some rebounding footy, we just have to be on our game and shut them down where we can.”
Collins said the key to victory for his side was simple.
“Just playing together as a team. We want 22 players playing their role, and hopefully that will be enough to get us over the line,” he said.
“We should be able to play our brand of footy and if we can’t, we aren’t working hard enough.”
The Cats will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the 2019 finals that saw them bundled out in straight sets after finishing second on the ladder.
The two teams to beat them that year? Mount Pleasant and Colbinabbin.
The preliminary final will kick off at 2.15pm on Saturday, with the game to be played at White Hills Recreation Reserve.
HDFL preliminary final
Lockington-Bamawm United vs Colbinabbin. Saturday, August 27, at 2.15pm at White Hills Recreation Reserve
