Pies ride wave of success

CLAREMONT coach David Hunt believes his side’s four consecutive grand final appearances will give his players confidence for this year’s finals campaign, which starts today against Lindisfarne.

With minor premier New Norfolk receiving a week off for week one of finals, secondplaced Lindisfarne will host third-placed Claremont in a qualifying final match that will send the winner to the preliminary finals.

Last year’s premier will face a tough challenge against the side that belted the Magpies by 76 points in Round 16, but Hunt believes the venue of the game is irrelevant.

“For us, we’ve had success when we play there [Anzac Park],” Hunt said. “We see their home ground as similar in size to North Hobart Oval — a ground which we feel we play really well on, so if anything it will be a positive.”

Hunt said there was a sense of confidence among the playing group after the finals success the club has had in recent years.

“We’ve played in four [grand finals] in a row now, so we’re going to be confident that we can call on past experience,” he said.

“But you can’t rely on that, and the players are well aware of it. Finals are in the air now, which makes players stand up and be counted, so we’re excited for the challenge.”

Lindisfarne coach Daniel Willing will be hoping the return of key trio Justin Howlett, Will Press and Kase Miller can strengthen the Blues’ chances against the Magpies.

“Having these guys return is really important for us,” he said. “Kase [Miller] coming back from time on the mainland will really improve our midfield.”

Willing agreed the Round 16 win over Claremont provided confidence for the playing group, but the club won’t hang its hat on past performances. “We’re confident knowing that our best is capable, but finals are a different story,” Willing said

The Blues coach knows that his side will need to return to form after a 42-point loss to New Norfolk last week.

“We need to bounce back from what wasn’t our brand in the last round,” Willing said. “We now know where we need to be to compete in finals.”

Cygnet will meet Dodges Ferry today in the elimination final, with the winner to face the losing side from the Lindisfarne versus Claremont clash. James Kitto is a UTAS journalism student.