ALL ON THE LINE FOR BRIGHTON
BRIGHTON’S credentials as a SFL finalist will be put to the test in a crucial clash with Dodges Ferry at Shark Park on Saturday in a game that will play a huge roll in the Robins’ bid to play in the post-season.
The Robins are searching for their first finals berth in years and dynamic forward Jacob Best is hoping to taste his first finals series as a senior player.
Brighton is fifth on the ladder with Sorell breathing down its next in sixth and well in the hunt to play finals, while Dodges Ferry is two games clear of both teams and a win could cement fourth place and a home elimination final. Best, 23, said it was a season-defining game as he hopes Brighton’s rise can continue under new coach Paul Kennedy.
“It would mean everything to play finals,” Best said. “I haven’t played finals at Brighton since colts and that feels like forever ago, given all the turmoil in recent years. It would be huge for the club but we just focus week-in, week-out on the task at hand and what will be will be at the end of it.”
Brighton and Dodges Ferry are well matched. “We both play a direct, quick, hard-at-it style of footy,” Best said. “It makes for a good game every time.”
The gravity of the outcome has been drilled into the Robins
“It’s a very important game for both sides,” Best said. “It will probably be a finals-type intensity. Dodges and Brighton have had a few thrillers in recent times so it should be a cracker.
“Both teams bring the heat and have a lot to play for and match up well against each other, so it’s exciting.”
The knowledge and energy Kennedy – aka ‘PK’ – has brought to Brighton in his first season as an SFL coach has revitalised the club.
“He’s brilliant. He is really caring and he has brought a level of professionalism that it probably hasn’t seen in, I don’t know about ever, but definitely in my time at the club – and I started in juniors and this is my fifth year of senior footy,” Best said. “I’ve been through the rut and it’s good to reap some rewards now.”
A key match-up will be Brighton full back Bradley Shaw against Dodges Ferry goalkicking machine Cam Hooker deep in the Sharks’ forward 50.
“They’ve had good battles the past two times we’ve played, so that will be a key one,” Best said.
In other games this round, Lindisfarne takes on Hobart at Anzac Park, Huonville Lions play New Norfolk at Huonville and Sorell tackles Claremont at Pembroke Park.