KDL | Lancaster and Murchison-Toolamba prepare for grand final clash

Rain is forecast in the lead-up to the grand final and some showers are expected on the day, but mild conditions should greet the two combatants at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve.

The excitement is palpable and that’s why Murchison-Toolamba is trying to soak it all up according to coach Nick Iorianni.

“We’re just trying to stick together as much as possible. Just ride the wave together and soak it all up because it’s not every week you’re in a grand final,” he said this week.

“It all started on Monday when we met for recovery together. We had a light night on the track on Tuesday and a few of the boys are doing more recovery tonight (Wednesday).”

Lancaster playing coach Tom Davies expects a physical contest on Saturday against a Grasshoppers outfit that “grabbed each chance it got last week”.

The reigning McNamara Medal winner believes Mooroopna should suit his side’s game style.

“I think it will play to our strengths. It’s a similar ground to Shepp East,” Davies said.

“We’ll look to expose the wings and it should play into our game style.”

Iorianni said he would lean on the likes of Trent Freer, Michael Coad, Brodie and Kallyun Sanders and Jayedo Hexter, who all played plenty of matches for Mooroopna, for advice.

“We’ve got a few boys who have played a lot of games on that ground and I’ll look to tap into their knowledge. I’ll lean on them for direction,” he said.

“But we’ll treat it like an away game and just look to play to our strengths.”

Like any grand final preparation, the hardest calls come in the days before the big dance.

And this year is no different.

Both outfits have a players under injury clouds and both coaches said the players would be given every opportunity.

Iorianni said defender Shane Kay pulled up with tightness in last week’s win.

“By all reports from the physios it was just tightness for Shane. We’ve been managing him for a while now and we’ll be guided by how he feels,” he said.

Davies said utility Sam Spedding was still pushing his case for selection after he injured his ankle in the semi-final win over Nagambie.

However, Davies and the selection committee had a tough call to make on which player makes way for gun forward Jake Mills — who has missed the past fortnight through suspension.

“Jake will come back in and we’re still to decide who will make way for him,” Davies said.

“Sam said his ankle is right to go. We’ll wait until Thursday before we name the team and anyone who does miss out will play reserves.”

Davies said there was a real buzz around Lancaster, with the club fielding all three football sides in Saturday’s grand final action.

“It’s a proud achievement for the club to have all three footy sides in,” he said.

“But the job’s not done yet.”