GDFL GRAND FINAL
Elford replaces stalwart DiBlasio
INVERLEIGH has sensationally dropped Justin DiBlasio for tomorrow’s GDFL grand final, with the Hawks co-captain making way for star defender Mitch Elford.
Coach Mark McDowell delivered the news to the playing group at training last night, with the Hawks opting to go with Elford after he had ticked all the boxes in his return from a knee injury.
DiBlasio’s omission is a bitter blow to the Hawks stalwart, who had featured in 16 senior games this season.
In a cruel twist, DiBlasio had earlier this week thrown his support behind Elford’s return, saying whichever player made way would be the unlucky story of grand final week.
It was the only change Inverleigh made to the side that defeated Bell Post Hill in last week’s preliminary final.
McDowell said key defender Elford was too valuable to leave out of the side despite only recently overcoming a knee injury, which has seen him sidelined from the senior team since early July.
“The first tick for him was when he played two weeks ago in the reserves final and played a full game and got through the whole game,” McDowell said.
“Then it was how he pulled up from that. Since then he had two Saturday training sessions, where we have run between 10 and 12km at Deakin University.
“He has got through that 100 per cent. Then the final tick for him was (Wednesday) night.
“We put him under some pressure, matching him up with our key forwards. He passed it with flying colours.
“He is a GFL footballer from last year, played finals football for Bell Park and he is a quality player.”
The Hawks suffered grand final heartbreak in last year’s season decider, going down comfortably to powerhouse Bell Post Hill.
McDowell said he was confident his team was better for that experience and would be hungry not to walk off The Gordon TAFE Oval without a premiership cup again.
“It’s like what (former UFC champion) Conor McGregor said: ‘You never lose, you either win or you learn’. I think we have been learning, it’s been a long fight,” McDowell said.
“It’s been a five-year journey (for us to get here).
“We lost last year, but people say ‘You’ve got to lose one to win one’. We thought we were a good chance last year, but Bell Post Hill played extraordinary football.
“This year we just feel it’s our time.”
Inverleigh wrapped up its grand final preparation with a light skills session last night.
McDowell admits Barwon Heads’ BFL grand final loss to Modewarre reminded the group that anything can happen in the final match.
“A football is an odd shape and it can bounce one way or it can bounce another way (and that’s the same of a game of footy),” he said.
“We are really confident that if we bring our A-grade game and bring the effort then we will get the result.”
McDowell said he had watched a lot of Thomson through finals and knows they will be no pushover. J. SPOKES T. McGUIRE