Colonel Light Gardens keeping quiet ahead of division five amateur football grand final

COLONEL Light Gardens is trying to keep a lid on things ahead of this Saturday’s division five grand final with a self-imposed media ban on players and officials.

COLONEL Light Gardens is trying to keep a lid on things ahead of the club’s division five grand final against Para Hills this Saturday.

The Lions’ coach Matthew Dent and president Matthew Lemmers have declined to speak to the Mitcham & Hills Messenger, while Dent has refused to let players be interviewed.

The media ban places huge expectations on the amateur league club, which is on the brink of its first A-grade flag since 2007.

Colonel Light Gardens will enter the premiership decider as favourite after winning the second semi-final against Blackfriars Old Scholars on August 29.

The Lions stormed back from being three points down at three-quarter time before prevailing 13.11 (89) to 9.21 (75).

The result ensured they earnt promotion to division four for next season.

Colonel Light Gardens should be fresher than its grand final opponent after having a week off.

Para Hills beat Blackfriars 15.13 (103) to 12.12 (84) in the preliminary final on Saturday.

Dent played 118 games for Western Bulldogs, Fitzroy and Hawthorn from 1994-2001.

He led Happy Valley to a Southern Football League premiership in 2012.

The 2002 Sturt premiership player is in his first season as coach at Colonel Light Gardens.

The Lions ended the minor round second on the ladder with a 13-5 record.

Arren Harvey is the club’s leading goalkicker with 67 majors.