Saints chasing elusive silverware but will need to sink Ships

ST VIRGILS is chasing its first premiership in 20 years in the Old Scholars grand final on Saturday against a team that has won it three times since the Saints last lifted the cup.

Saints winger Brad Weston said nerves were high. “We haven’t played finals for 10 years so even to be a part of it is good for morale around the club and very exciting,” he said.

Reigning premiers OHA broke a nine-year drought in a coronavirusshortened season last year and co-captain Cody Baker said the Ships wanted that winning feeling again.

“We won last year so we know what to expect and that’s the feeling you chase,” he said.

“We’ve got some new blokes and we’d like to win so they’ve got a premiership with the Ships.”

It will be footy hero Ian Callinan’s last game as senior coach at OHA before he steps down. Baker said Damian Paul was likely to take on St Virgils’ dangermen Jaye Bowden or Jake Cox.

“They are two of the best players in the state, so Damian is going to be superimportant to how we go,” Baker said.

The performance of slick Ships player Trent Standen may overshadow the Bowden-Cox show, with “Speedy” arguably now the most dangerous man around goal in Tasmania.

“He’s a superstar, so if he can get on top it will go a long way toward us winning,” Baker said.

OHA and St Virgils are 2-2 against each other this season, setting the stage for a thriller at North Hobart Oval.

“It has been a bit of an up and down battle between us,” Baker said.

Weston hopes Cameron Duffy can give the Saints’ midfield an edge with his TSL rucking skills.

“He’s a gun State League player, so he will have a big job up against Liam Meagher,” he said.

“Dylan Pearce will be a key down back, and he might play on Standen, which is the hardest job in footy at the moment. Rhys Mott coming back from injury is building form, so he’s a key for us as well.”