Lincoln South coach, Paul Stelzer, said his side will be ready to go for next season
There are positive signs at Lincoln South – despite the Eagles’ season coming to an end – according its coach following a tight Port Lincoln Football League semi-final clash with Marble Range.
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Lincoln South and Marble Range could only be separated by two points as they played out an instant classic in their Port Lincoln Football League semi-final clash on Sunday.
Despite South falling 8.8 (56) to 8.8 (54) after leading by 14 points at half-time at Centenary Oval, Eagles coach Paul Stelzer said was still happy with his side’s effort.
“We were able to dictate a lot of the play in the first half,” Stelzer said.
“Our pressure was really good but in the second half, Marble Range began to dictate play and begin to play their style of footy, thanks to Kory Beard, but it could have gone either way.”
Marble Range secured its place in this Saturday’s preliminary final against Tasman by kicking a last-gasp winner.
Former Sturt star Kory Beard was best for Range along with Luke Harder (three goals), while Darryl Dudley, Ben Shillabeer and Waylon Miller (two goals) fought hard for South.
Stelzer said the Eagles had entered the match with belief this year’s flag was within their grasp, despite holding a losing record.
“We were confident because we played them (Marble Range) twice this season and we beat them once and they had beaten us once,” he said.
“We were confident in the style we play was going to hold up in the finals but unfortunately we had some injuries at half-time.”
While COVID-19 put a hold on sporting groups all around the world, Stelzer along with the club embraced the challenge recruiting a few more players for their run at the flag.
“We recruited pretty well, we got what we had to get, which was experience,” he said.
Now with the 2020 season wrapped up for the Tennant Street faithful, the club are hoping to keep their newly recruited as well as giving the younger boys a turn out on the field.
“We are going to try and hang on to a few of these guys that we gained as well as blooding the kids,” Stelzer said.
“We played a lot of 17-18 year-olds again this year which will only make them better for the run going into next season.”
Marble Range and Tasman will clash to decide which side will face Waybacks in the grand final on September 26.
Stelzer weighed in with his thoughts on who would triumph in the big dance.
“Wayback will win,” he said.
“It will be a Waybacks and Marble Range final but Waybacks will get the job done by a few goals.”