Winger ready to start in final
HE was the last minute call-up for the semi-final, now MA Olympic young gun Cade Colquhoun stands 90 minutes away from ultimate glory.
The footballer, who has split his season between the club’s Premiers and Reserves squads, was called into the semi-final side at the 11th hour to replace the injured Jake Perry.
But Colquhoun’s strong performance in the 4-1 win over Brothers has made it next to impossible for coach Paul Roncato to drop him to the bench for this weekend’s grand final.
While Perry has used the past fortnight to recover from a hamstring injury, the highoctane midfielder will come off the bench in the grand final with Roncato excited to have an ace up his sleeve.
“Cade was outstanding in that semi-final, for a guy who was a last-minute decision to start, he really took that opportunity,” he said.
“He was one of the best on the park that night, what he did on the flank was so good, he took his man on and drove into the box. He created constant chances and pulled Brothers apart.
“I had words with him before the game with what I expected from him. He wasn’t expecting the call-up, but he exceeded those expectations.
“It is a tough one with everyone back from injury, but it is hard for me to change a winning side. I am staying loyal to the XI who beat Brothers the other week. I really didn’t know which way to go, I had a chat with both Perry and Cade about it. They are two guys who do wonderful things for me, they have unique qualities in them. It is great to have them both there.”
While the extended break between the semi-final and the decider has given time for the Mundingburra club to heal their injuries, Roncato said there were concerns that it could disrupt the side’s momentum.
He was also concerned about a lack of match fitness for the squad, so he put them head-to-head with the club’s reserves outfit on the training field last week in a game where neither side gave an inch.
“There was a bit of tension and friction, it certainly was no holds barred,” Roncato said.
“I don’t mind there being a bit of passion between the two sides as long as we can have a beer together afterwards. It was a good hit-out that we needed.
“Injury-wise it has been great having the time off, but not having match fitness is a massive thing that concerns me.
“If we can put on the same display we did against Brothers a couple of weeks ago, I can’t see why we can’t win the big dance. I don’t think we will have the same free flow style as we did the other week, we need to prepare for a tough match. They are the one side that has troubled us all year.”
Brothers earned a place in the grand final with a penalty shootout win over Saints Eagles Souths last weekend.