EDFL 2018: Aberfeldie coach Adam Potter praises his players ahead of Premier Division grand final

ABERFELDIE co-coach Adam Potter has praised his players as the Essendon District Football League club looks to secure back-to-back premierships for the first time.

Adam Potter is chasing a third flag as coach. Picture: Hamish Blair

ABERFELDIE co-coach Adam Potter has praised his players as the Essendon District Football League club looks to secure back-to-back premierships for the first time.

Abers have qualified for the past six grand finals in the hotly-contested Premier Division competition, claiming flags in 2015 and 2017 under Potter’s guidance.

EDFL 2018: KEILOR STAGES REMARKABLE REVIVAL

EDFL 2018: AIRPORT WEST WINS DIVISION 1 FLAG

EDFL 2018: EAST SUNBURY ADVANCES TO GF

EDFL 2018: PASCOE VALE ANNOUNCES NEW COACH

The reigning premier earned a direct passage through to the grand final after beating Keilor by eight points in the major semi-final, with the two teams to lock horns again at Windy Hill on Sunday for the ultimate prize.

The top four were separated by just one game after the home-and-away rounds, with Aberfeldie finishing second on the ladder.

Aberfeldie celebrates last year’s Premier Division flag. Picture: Hamish Blair

“If you look at Round 14, we had to go to Greenvale at Greenvale just to stay in touch with that top four,” said Potter, who is sharing the top job with Luke Blackwell this year.

“We’ve been really good winning five games in a row in that back half of the season and probably fell into that top-two position.

“Now we’re in a position to be fortunate enough to play in our sixth straight grand final, and I’ve been involved in four of those. It’s really pleasing.

“I want to pay a lot of credit to the playing group because I think we’ve only added one new player to the list that played (in the major semi-final), which is Mark Austin. For some of these guys to stay up and about as long as they have and be really hungry and determined and driving standards, I think it’s a real credit to the playing group.”

Abers have won two of their three meetings against Keilor this season.