HEART OF LIONS WILL BE NEEDED
TWO late changes could enhance Huonville Lions’ chances of going back-to-back in the SFL grand final against Cygnet at North Hobart Oval on Saturday but coach Billy Lamprill says it will take a herculean effort to conquer the team they have failed to beat all season.
Onballer Dale Thorp and midfielder-forward Jack Philp slotted in for the showdown, while Dylan Hay and Brody Penney made way.
“Getting Thorp and Philp back is really handy for us but a couple had to go out, which is really unlucky,” Lamprill said.
“We haven’t beaten Cygnet this year, so we’ve got to play like we did last time against them but do it for longer and execute better.”
Huonville gave Cygnet a run for its money in the second semi at Cygnet Oval but The Port kicked away late for a 25-point win and direct passage into the grand final.
“We had a couple of blokes down that day. We need our whole 22 to play their role,” Lamprill said.
“The boys are really excited and the majority of them know what to expect from the lead-up and they have handled it really well.”
Cygnet coach Thor Boscott also wants his players to be stronger for longer.
“We’ll be looking to our midfield to show leadership – Rhys Jennings as captain, Sam Dean, Lachie Watt, Bailey Gordon and also up forward Joe Direen, Jordan Lane and a guy who’s underrated James Zeitzen,” Boscott said.
“It would be good for them to get their hands on the football.”
Losing the grand final to Huonville last year fuelled The Port this season.
‘Wiggo’ is massive for our club ... Cygnet coach Thor Boscott
“Losing to them last year was massive. The boys have come away from that strong and we learned a lot so it’s a redemption opportunity for sure,” Boscott said.
The grand final has a personal edge for Cygnet, which wants to win it for Ryan Wiggins, who badly injured his neck in an off-field incident in July.
“Wiggo is massive for our club and he’s a massive motivation for us for sure,” Boscott said.
Talk of the Lions going back-toback is outside noise to Lamprill.
“We haven’t spoken about that, we are just going about what we need to do when we need to get the ball and what we need to do when we have the ball,” he said.
“That is pretty simple – execute the plan we have in place, and if we can do that well, it will work.”
james.bresnehan@news.com.au