New game for familiar semi-final combatants
TRL: The saying goes that a week is a long time in footy so both coaches believe the result of their past meeting just a fortnight ago provides no insight into the possible result of tonight’s TRL elimination semi-final between Highfields and Wattles.
Fourth-placed Highfields takes on fifth-placed Wattles at Clive Berghofer Stadium tonight just two weeks after the Warriors comfortably downed the Eagles 46-18.
❝ Nothing matters except the game ahead of us.
— Gary Lawrence
Highfields coach Justin McKellar expects his team to be stronger in the sudden-death showdown despite Jayden Motley and Nick Bainbridge likely to be sidelined with injury for the Wattles semi-final.
“We were just a bit flat that day for some reason,” McKellar said of the loss a fortnight ago.
“This weekend it will all be about effort. If we do that,
our execution will come.”
Wattles coach Gary Lawrence is focusing on the tough 80 minutes ahead.
“Nothing matters except the game ahead of us,” he said.
The Warriors have their
own injury concerns as Michael Duggan is out and five-eighth Josh Henry is in doubt.
Wattles could also be met with a parochial Highfields section of the crowd as it will be a landmark day for
the Eagles club, which first contested a grade and reserve grade in 2011.
“It’s a good day for the club. It’s the first time we’ve had all three grades in the finals,” McKellar said.