Big guns expected back for Rupertswood’s preliminary final

Rupertswood has received a major boost in its pursuit of a first EDFL premiership with several key players returning for Saturday’s preliminary final. Full team news here.

Rupertswood’s hopes of reaching its first EDFL grand final have received a boost with several key players included in the matchday squad for Saturday’s preliminary final against West Coburg.

Key quartet Dylan Podolczak, Jackson Pranauskas, Daniel Kavanagh and Brent Swallow have all been included in the squads which were released on Friday morning.

Evan Ricupero, who has played seven senior games this season, has also been included.

Cameron McRorie and Sonny Phelan have made way.

For West Coburg, Reed Cathcart, Fallan Cathcart, Marco Serruto and Jordan Gloury have been added to the squad which lost to Deer Park last weekend.

Thomas McRostie is the only out at this stage.

EARLIER

Rupertswood has a significant piece of club history but it wants much more.

The Sharks secured their first EDFL finals win on Sunday with a 13.10 (88) to 5.11 (41) win over Hillside at Joe Brown Oval to move through to the Division 1 preliminary final.

It marked a significant step in the playing group’s development according to coach Arron Bray after they responded to a heavy loss against Deer Park in the qualifying final a week earlier.

After a slow start — trailing at quarter-time, the former Riddell District league club eventually found their rhythm to hold Hillside to just two goals after the first break.

“We spoke about how we had used our first ticket of two, after losing in the first week, and now this was our second chance,” Bray said.

“I thought we were able to set the standard early and able to control the game for large parts. When we came into the competition a few years ago, people probably didn’t know too much about us.

“Now we’ve put our club in a place for everyone to see.”

Rupertswood’s coach Arron Bray and Dean Galea. Picture: Andy Brownbill

This week’s match committee won’t be an easy task for Bray and his assistant coaches either.

The Sharks could be bolstered by four key inclusions including Brent Swallow, Ben Borg, Daniel Kavanagh and Dylan Podolczak, who have all been important pieces to the puzzle this season.

And the task is only going to be made more difficult after a number of impressive performances at the weekend.

Jordan Tentonello and Jackson Cardillo arguably couldn’t have been split for best afield honours while Dean Galea impressed with four goals.

“There’s going to be some headaches,” Bray said.

“With some guys missing, it gave an opportunity to others to step into the midfield and they deserve a lot of credit for how they played.

“They crashed straight through all day, we might have found a couple. Sometimes, you just need a bull or two in there who are going to crash through the packs.”

Standing between the Sharks and a place in the grand final against Deer Park is minor premier West Coburg.

And Bray knows his side has a massive challenge ahead.

“We’re expecting some fireworks this week,” he said.

West Coburg won the only previous meeting between the two sides earlier this year by 48 points.