HDFL | History beckons for LBU

By Bransen Gibson

Sep 1, 2022

Preparations: Lockington-Bamawm United coach Brodie Collins speaks to the playing group at training ahead of their grand final clash against Mount Pleasant. Photo: Bransen Gibson

There is no day like grand final day.

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At long last, after three years of waiting — a timespan that felt more like an eternity — the Heathcote District Football Netball League’s showpiece event is finally back.

Lockington-Bamawm United and Mount Pleasant will face off on the football field in the premiership decider on Saturday afternoon at Strauch Reserve, with a chance to write their names in the history books.

For LBU, the game is both a shot at redemption and opportunity to cap off two seasons of hard work and domination.

The Cats finished second on the ladder in 2019 before back-to-back losses saw them bomb out of the finals, with their grand final opponents this weekend one of the sides to beat them that year.

After the 2020 season was cancelled LBU bounced back in 2021, going undefeated in the shortened home-and-away campaign before the season was called off, with no finals played.

But now, after a stellar regular season that saw them claim back-to-back minor premierships and lose just one game, the Cats have a chance at premiership glory.

LBU playing coach Brodie Collins said it’s a big opportunity for his side.

“I’m excited, I’m buzzing,” Collins said

“We have worked hard to get here, now we just need four more quarters of footy to achieve what we set out to do.

“It’s big for the community. There is a massive buzz and a big feeling around the club at the moment, a lot of boys have already been getting messages from family and friends and it is really exciting.”

Tune-up: LBU’s Brodie Collins goes for the ball during a cold and wet training session at Lockington Recreation Reserve ahead of the grand final.

Standing between LBU and the premiership trophy is a Mount Pleasant team that has already proved it can match it with the Cats.

Mounts had a resounding 31-point win over LBU a fortnight ago, humbling LBU with a 86-55 win in the qualifying final, a victory that saw them advance to the grand final for the first time in 16 years.

“There is a lot we can improve on, we played pretty poorly that day,” Collins said.

“I think we were a little bit flat and a little bit rattled to an extent. We were a bit like a deer in the headlights.

“Our backs are against the wall now and we have an opportunity to do it. It is now or never and I think it suits us. I think the boys are really excited and we’ll have a red-hot crack.”

Goalkicking was an issue for the Cats that day against Mounts and again last weekend during their 25-point win against Colbinabbin, with LBU kicking a combined 15.29 across the two games.

Collins said accuracy would be key on Saturday afternoon, as would his side’s mindset.

“Kicking straight is obviously one thing we’ll need to improve,” he said.

“The key to success will be staying relaxed, trusting your teammates,having a bit of fun and just enjoying it.

“A grand final can be up and down, but we know we are going to be in it. We just need to bust our a** for each other and have a bit of fun.

“It’s really important to take our opportunities when we get them and not hold back. We need to take the game on and go for it.”

Getting ready: Jeremy Mundie with the ball during LBU’s pre-grand final hit-out. Photo: Bransen Gibson Photo by Bransen Gibson

Mount Pleasant has won 19 HDFL premierships, with their most recent flag coming back in 2006.

The Cats meanwhile will be gunning for their first premiership since 2014, a triumph that capped off a run of four flags in a row.

Collins was part of the side that hoisted the trophy in 2011, and said another premiership would be just as special.

“Personally, it would mean a hell of a lot,” he said.

“It would be pretty special to share the moment and the memories with the boys, it would be unreal.

“Coming out of a junior program that was very successful, you start to think that grand finals just come around. But now you know they don’t happen every day, they don’t just fall off trees.

“But we can’t be focusing on that too much, we need to focus on the process and the team structures. We’ll get everything right and then what will be, will be.”