Bouwman gets his chance

RYAN Garrard’s pain is set to be Ben Bouwman’s gain as Inverleigh prepares for Saturday’s grand final. Bouwman is certain to return for the Hawks, with Garrard suspended for a hit on Bannockburn’s Jack Brauman. Experienced Dean Muir is also likely to play as he recovers from an “impact injury” last week. “I’ve spoken to Dean and I think he’s going to be right to play,” Inverleigh co-captain Justin Di Blasio said this week. “I don’t know how bad it was, but it’s my guess that he’ll play. He’ll get himself up, he’s professional about it and he’s been around a fair while. “No doubt he’ll get put through a fitness test (tonight) and come Saturday he’ll be right to go.” The mind games have already started between the two clubs, with Di Blasio claiming the underdog tag. “They definitely deserve to be favourites, they’ve been in it (grand final) for 10 years now,” Di Blasio said. He was part of North Geelong’s premiership triumph over the Panthers in 2013, but he believes that will stand for little when the teams run out on Saturday. “It’s a new experience for me, it’s a different group and a different club,” Di Blasio said. “I’ll probably give the boys a little bit of advice through the week, not a great deal. I think we’ll try to treat it like a normal week as much as possible and come Saturday we’ll go out and play and do our thing.” Spearhead Jak KennedyHunt overcame a host of niggles to boot three goals in the Hawks’ preliminary final win over Bannockburn and Di Blasio declared him “100 per cent fine”. “He’s got a sore shin, so someone kicked him in the shin but he’s ready to go,” he said. “The weekend’s game will put him in good stead.” The town is abuzz after progressing to the big dance, with a 25-year premiership drought on the line. “I’m sure (tonight) there will be so many people there, so it’s a really good feeling,” Di Blasio said. “I think we just roll with that and continue with that momentum through the week and keep going.”