Key players and what to look out for in the Sunraysia Football League decider
We name the key players best placed to determine the winner of this weekend’s Sunraysia Football League grand final.
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For most coaches, their contribution to winning the battle is done off the field and in the coaches’ box.
However, in this weekend’s Sunraysia Football League decider between Wentworth and Irymple, the respective coaches will battle on the field against each other.
Irymple, the minor premiers, are looking for back-to-back titles after winning the last premiership in 2019 while Wentworth is looking for their first title since 2012.
And one of the battles which could decide the contest is Wentworth coach and forward Wade Hancock taking on Irymple coach and key defender Tom Brownbridge.
Wentworth has won two out of the three games between the sides this season with Hancock getting on top in both games the team has won.
He kicked seven and five goals respectively.
In Irymple’s only win Brownbridge kept Hancock goalless.
“If delivery is not really good, he’s going to beat me in a 50/50 (with his height),” Hancock said.
“We’re probably one each (this season) after he kept me to zero.
“It’s going to be a good battle.”
Hancock has been the leading goalkicker in the competition this season, kicking 73 goals in 16 matches.
“Other than being the coach you want to contribute on the ground,” Hancock said ahead of the grand final.
“My success has purely been the team's effort of getting the ball inside 50 and me finishing it off.”
Hancock said his team will need the leadership of their ruckman Nick Jensen to deliver premiership success.
Jensen has played 10 games this season with Wentworth winning all of them.
When he hasn’t played the Kangaroos have lost four out of six contests.
He returned from injury just in time to play the qualifying final, which Wentworth won, and is primed for the grand final.
“He’s just a barometer for us,” Hancock said.
“Just his leadership and giving our middies first use (with his taps).
“We just stand up taller when he is around.
“If Nick can give us first use and then have second efforts it is going to help us.
“Their (Irymple’s) young ruckman is very athletic, so it is not going to be a walk in the park for Nick.”
In the three contests this season the team which has led at quarter time has won the match.
“The start to a grand final is even more important to get the monkey off your back and start well,” Hancock said.
“I didn’t know that fact (but) I think the contest will be won over four quarters.”
Wentworth last won the title in 2012, beating the same opponent, Irymple, in the grand final.
Hancock said the community has been right behind them.
“It’s something I spoke to the boys about,” he said.
“We’re blessed to be in the community and the amount of people we had at training (this week) was special.
“We have the honour and privilege of putting the red, white and blue for them.”
Looking to stop them will be Irymple - a club with a massive grand final day ahead of them.
Four out of the five grand finals in football will feature the club while their netball teams in under-17 and B-grade will also play in grand finals.
“It’s been a pretty big week,” Brownbridge said.
“Our preparation has been pretty normal for a grand final week.”
Brownbridge said getting a good start would be vital in stopping Wentworth from gaining momentum.
He said it cost them in the first qualifying final.
“If we didn’t allow them to kick five goals in the first quarter we would have won, we outscored them in the last three quarters,” Brownbridge said.
“We need to stem that flow early.”
Despite going through 40 players this year and having issues with Covid during the season, Irymple is expected to field a full strength line-up.
“You’ve got the niggles and issues in the finals but everyone has passed their fitness tests,” Brownbridge said.
“For us we need to look at where we failed (last time) and have the ability to shut down their players.”
He said this included Jensen and Hancock and former St Kilda player Jackson Ferguson.
The two sides play at the Mildura Sporting Precinct at 2.30pm.
Here are the key players to watch.
Jackson Ferguson (Wentworth)
The former St Kilda player is someone Irymple is keeping an eye on in the grand final.
He kicked two goals against them in the preliminary final and has kicked 17 goals in 13 games this season.
Ferguson can play in multiple positions, which is sure to create headaches.
Nick Mee (Irymple)
The former Box Hill VFL player is the X-factor for the team.
He can kick a long goal to inspire the team and also run through packs to create opportunities for his teammates.
Mead is a former coach of the club.
Wade Hancock (Wentworth)
The Wentworth coach has also been the leading goalkicker in the competition this season.
He’s kicked 73 goals in 16 games, including five goals in the qualifying final against Irymple a couple of weeks ago.
Hancock also kicked seven goals in one match earlier this season against Irymple.
Justin Robinson (Irymple)
Capable of playing in the forward line or in defence as a tall.
Robinson played the first half of the year in the forward line but has been used more in defence recently.
He kicked 14 goals, including 10 in four games, when in the forward line for the club.
Nick Jensen (Wentworth)
The ruckman has been the barometer for the club this season.
Jensen has played 10 games this season and Wentworth has won all of them.
When he hasn’t, the team has lost four games out of the six it has played.
His experience could prove vital for Wentworth with Irymple having an inexperienced and young ruckman in the decider.
If he dominates the ruck contest, Wentworth might be the premiers.
Zac Wandin (Irymple)
Has been described as one of the best rebound defenders at not only the club but the competition by his coach.
His skill to transition play from defence to attack could be one of the ways Irymple win on Saturday.
Expect someone from Wentworth to potentially tag him.
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