Youth lifts club

had helped give the club’s emerging youth more exposure. With several stars – including Nathan Byrne, Jordan Huff and Shane Oakley – rejoining the team in recent weeks, the Bombers are set to benefit.

Huff and Oakley should, alongside Cam Bruce, stretch opposition backlines thin, with Jye Walter also chiming in and captain Dustin Cross showcasing an ability to hit the scoreboard from the midfield.

The Bombers are the second highest scoring team in the league this year behind reigning premier Harrowbalmoral, but have also conceded more points than any other finals side.

Young ruckman Jack Vague will have plenty of responsibility on his shoulders as he aims to give the side’s veteran-laden midfield – featuring the likes of Byrne, Cross, Jason Kerr and Tom Cooper – first use of the ball.

Noradjuha-quantong has won five of its past six matches to storm into the finals, and Hose said everyone at the club was thoroughly enjoying the experience.

“It’s only been a couple of years that I’ve been at the club, but a few people have been saying it’s been eight years since our senior team has been in the finals,” he said.

“There’s an excitement and a positive feeling about the place.

“The diehard supporters are rapt that the senior team – and us being such a young team – are going to get the opportunity to taste a bit of finals footy. When I took over, we said we wanted to build each year. We had a goal at the start of the year that our next progression would hopefully be to play finals footy.

“We’ve taken big steps and I’m really pleased.”

Shane Oakley