FULL-STRENGTH CYGNET FACES SELECTION HEADACHES

THOR Boscott faces the coach’s dilemma of potentially telling a Cygnet player he won’t be lining up in the SFL grand final against archrivals Huonville Lions at North Hobart Oval on Saturday, but it’s a responsibility the young coach accepts.

After winning a hardfought contest over the Lions in the second semi-final two weeks ago, The Port has almost every player available, which means any tweaks to Boscott’s winning side will be a double-edged sword.

The minor premier is primed for this year’s battle for the cup, with the crowd restriction lifted to 5000 for the grand final and mask wearing compulsory.

“We have no injuries, which is good, so we’ll do our match-ups and see if any changes need to be made,” Boscott said.

“We’ve got a game plan in place and match-ups as well, but last game against them we played three quarters and we need four quarters this time and hopefully we’ll have the people to do that.

“If changes need to happen, it will be tough to tell a player he’s not in the grand final. It’s one of the things you dread as a coach. Finals football, especially a grand final, it’s hard dropping someone, but I think we are in good shape going into this week.”

It will take more than four quarters of their best football to beat Huonville.

“We need every player to do their job and play their role for the team,” Boscott said.

“In finals football you never know what can happen, but if you stick to your structure and your personal role, you can go a long way.”

Lions star Callum Rawson said winning the premiership for the second year in a row would be a big deal in the Huon Valley.

“It’s why you play footy, to play in the last game of the year,” Rawson said.

“It has been an up-anddown year for us. We’ve played some good footy and we’ve played some bad footy.

“Through the whole season we knew this is where we wanted to be. When you get to the last day it doesn’t matter how you got there, it means you’re in with a chance and anything can happen.

“We are wrapped we have made it but the job is not done yet.”

Huonville beat Lindisfarne three times in four weeks to make it to the September showdown, and a 25-point second semi loss to The Port at Cygnet.

“They’ve had the wood on us this year and they’re the team to beat,” Rawson said. “They are a great side and it’s going to take a lot to beat them but we are full of confidence that our best footy can get the job done.”

james.bresnehan@news.com.au