Leps fresh for shot at shield

INNISFAIL know a thing or four when it comes to getting into a grand final.

The Leprechauns will be playing their fourth decider in six years when they take on the Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks in the CDRL grand final at Barlow Park this Saturday night.

But while the Leps have made a habit out of playing on the last day of the season, they’ve only raised the shield once in their last four grand final appearances.

Coach Leon Hallie, who took the reins in 2017 after serving a year as the Northern Pride assistant coach under Joe O’Callaghan in 2016, said this year’s campaign had been “a fair bit different” to his first two at the club.

“That first year we made the grand final, I pretty much took over an established side,” he said.

“Whereas this year, while we’ve still got a couple of those older, experienced guys there, it’s pretty much been rebuilt, quite honestly.”

Led by one of the town’s favourite sons, Ty Williams, Innisfail lost the 2014 grand final, won the 2015 grand final and were knocked out one week before the 2016 grand final, before Hallie took over in 2017.

They lost the 2017 grand final to Yarrabah and were knocked out in the first week of finals by Cassowary Coast rivals and eventual grand finalists Tully last year.

This Saturday, they get anTREMAYNE other chance at CDRL premiership glory.

The Leps defeated the Sharks only a fortnight ago but, despite winning the game 32-26, they let the Sharks get out to a 22-6 lead by halftime.

Hallie said his side could not afford another slow start this weekend.

“They (Mossman-Port Douglas) jumped out of the gates,” he said.

“I thought we were a bit flat there and we paid the price.

“But we’re aware of it; it’s just a matter of being prepared for it.”

He said the players relished getting the week off leading into the grand final.

“We had two pretty physical games against Yarrabah and Mossman, so it was a good time to freshen up a bit,” Hallie said.

“We’ve still got a few injury concerns, so we’ll probably make a few final decisions (tonight), but we’re looking reasonably healthy.”