Stratford eager to salvage silverware
STRATFORD captain Shane Raso admits the thought of the Dolphins not fulfilling their combined potential continues to be the team’s driving force ahead of tomorrow’s premier men’s grand final against Mareeba.
Stratford have had a highly consistent season, finishing second in the premiership race and doing well in both the FFA Cup and Northern City Challenge.
While that success has been admirable, Raso admits it will count for little if they can’t beat the Bulls in the decider.
“We’re pretty hungry. We honestly believe we’ve underachieved all year,” the skipper said.
“We haven’t got any silverware to show for this year and we’ve got a pretty good squad. I honestly believe we’ve underachieved so to get a grand final win would salvage something from the season.
“We must be stronger and more determined than them.
“We want to finish off the year on a high.”
Stratford’s bid for grand final glory, however, has been made that little bit more difficult.
Key striker Mick Van Hooren will sit out after picking up his second yellow card in last Saturday night’s 5-2 semi-final win over Leichhardt.
The Bulls, meanwhile, will head into the clash at full strength.
A win would cap an unbelievable year for the Bulls that has seen them lose only once – to tomorrow’s opposition earlier this year in the FFA Cup.
“Besides the premiership and Crad Evans, the grand final is the one we want to win,” Bulls mentor Alex Srhoj said. “It will be a special day with plenty of atmosphere.
“We have to focus on ourselves though and make sure we do the right things against Stratford to be successful.
“They are a dangerous team with plenty of strikepower so it could go either way.” Premier men’s grand final Stratford v Mareeba, tomorrow at 7.30pm at Endeavour Park