Sherman’s march

Knights midfielder leads surprising run to final

GLENORCHY Knights midfielder James Sherman wasn’t expecting to play at the highest level this season.

Ravaged by injuries last year, he stepped away from the NPL Tasmania to pursue a coaching opportunity in the Southern Championship this year, and play in a league where there is less pressure on the body. The Knights have defied the odds though, having beaten NPL Tas opponents in three consecutive games to earn a match-up with the Olympia Warriors in the Lakoseljac Cup final today.

With his team one win away from a place in the Australiawide FFA Cup, Sherman said the Knights were ready to take the match up to their highly fancied opponents.

“There’s a fantastic vibe around the club at the moment, and it’s a pleasure to be involved in a cup final,” Sherman said.

The 28-year-old assistant coach said it was an easy decision to step away from the top flight after injuries nearly forced early retirement.

“I’ve got the interest in coaching, and then the opportunity to drop down a league where there would be less pressure for me to play was perfect,” he said.

“I did my pre-season and the body was feeling better and better, and luckily enough I feel as I good as I did five years ago.”

While he wasn’t expecting to be playing in the final, Sherman said the Knights have a “real chance” against the Warriors.

“I thought if we got a little bit of luck with the draw early on we could make a quarterfinal or a semi-final, and then in those games it’s about taking chances when they come, getting your tactics right and a handful of luck,” he said.

The game starts at 4.30pm at KGV.