Forward pressure key to Bannockburn hopes
BANNOCKBURN coach Peter Riccardi says it’s crucial his team gets its forward half structure right in today’s semifinal blockbuster with Thomson.
Thomson, which has lost only one game this season, will head into the match as a hot favourite and Riccardi said the onus was on his team to make life tough for them.
“I think it’s going to be our forward half versus their back half,” Riccardi said.
“They love to springboard off half back. They set up really well behind the footy.
“Our dilemma is, how do we keep the ball in there when they’ve got guys like (Adam) Wiseman chopping it off, (Sam) Jacka. We have got to try and come up with a plan to keep it in there.
“But they’ve also got some dangerous forwards when they go forward too.”
The winner of today’s match will earn direct passage into the GDFL grand final, while the loser will face the winner of tomorrow’s match between Werribee Centrals and Inverleigh.
Bannockburn will still be without Matt Tyquin, who is battling a calf injury, while Brayden Vicars will miss with a shoulder injury.
“As soon as we won last week (against Werribee) I said to him, ‘you’re having another week off’,” Riccardi said.
“We want him to get it right and he agreed with it anyway. The physio did say it would be at least two weeks … so it would be handy for everyone if we go straight in as it gives him an extra week.
“But if it comes to the crunch next week, if he gets through training, then he will probably play.”
Riccardi said Vicars had hurt the ligaments in his shoulder, adding that the pressure forward could return for the grand final if the side makes it.