MATES TURN TO RIVALS IN LAST HURDLE FOR THE FLAG

NO more than 50m separates the Curra Swans and Hermit Park Tigers when they begin their training warmup.

Operating so close to each other for the season at the Murray Sporting Complex has been a seamless experience. But with the AFL Townsville flag on the line there is nowhere to hide. Neither Swans coach Jamie Fogg nor Tigers mentor Darren Andrews have sensed any sneaky spies peaking over the fence line once full preparations began.

Given the pair have a friendship that extends beyond two decades, there is no need for foul play. They already know each other inside and out,

“They come to the far end of the ground closest to us and do their warm-up in the goalsquare,” Fogg said of his Hermit Park rivals.

“There’s no more than 50m between 44 players, it’s been interesting (but) it’s nothing different for us.

“We’ve been training the same way all year, we play our style of footy and come with a Plan B if that doesn’t work. We (Andrews and I) have spoken throughout the year and there’s been advice given back and forward. “We’re committed when we cross the white line that we’re position coaches, but when it’s finished he’ll be the first to congratulate me or me to him.”

Fogg’s men will come into the decider fresh off an undefeated 2020 campaign that ended a premiership drought spanning 20 years.

The likes of Dale Chivas have continued on their rich vein of form, while experienced campaigner Sean Nicholson will be on deck after missing last year’s decisive clash.

But for Andrews, experience will not be where his Tigers can get over the defending champions. It will be in the host of young guns who bring the energy to throw Curra off their game.

The likes of Callaway Parker and Xavier Cameron have ignited Hermit Park’s attack all season, twice helping take down the minor premiers throughout 2021.

In what has been a maiden campaign as a head coach, Andrews said he had felt more nervous this week than ever before as he hunts a return to the top of the podium for the club.

Having worked as an assistant coach under Fogg when the Curra mentor led the Tigers to the flag, Andrews had to rearrange work commitments in the mines to ensure he could be with the club as frequently as possible. The result has been the rebirth of a thrilling rivalry between the last sides standing, a rivalry he expects to reach its climax at Riverway Stadium.

“Because we’re so close (to Curra) it adds more to it; you come to training every Tuesday and Thursday and hear them and see their club rooms,” Andrews said.

“We’re two apiece and the two best teams have come together to duke it out. How do you control the best team in the league? It’s a very hard question … it’s the team who will settle first and get a roll on.”