EFL 2018: Doncaster hoping to record first Eastern Football League Division 1 finals victory
DONCASTER will have two looks at trying to win its first Division 1 finals victory after securing a top-three finish in the Eastern Football League.
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DONCASTER will have two looks at trying to win its first Division 1 finals victory after securing a top-three finish.
The Sharks missed out on a top-three berth by just 0.4 per cent last year, but finished in the double chance zone by two games and percentage ahead of Rowville and Blackburn to book a qualifying final date against South Croydon this Saturday.
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Doncaster has featured in the past two Division 1 finals series after winning promotion in 2015 but has bowed out at the first hurdle.
After achieving its home and away goal of finishing in the top three, Doncaster captain Chris Annakis said his side’s aim was to record its first top-tier finals win.
“Whenever you go into a new season you expect to take a step forward and improve so for us to take a step forward and prove that meant finishing in the top three,” Annakis said.
“We’re there now but we’ve still achieved nothing but the goal is to take the next step this season and if that means winning a final, or two or three, that is our goal.”
The Sharks have defeated South Croydon twice this year and confirmed their premiership credentials with a Round 14 victory over minor premier Vermont.
If Doncaster defeats the Bulldogs on the weekend, it will advance to meet the Eagles for the right to progress to the grand final.
“I think you can take some confidence out of knowing we’ve beaten both those sides, but if you show up just thinking it’s going to happen because you’ve already beaten them, you’re going to be on the way back and kidding yourself,” Annakis said.
“We know we have to take a step forward and improve to play better football for longer periods of time.”
Key to Doncaster’s climb up the ladder has been the maturity of Josh Turner, Riley Fyffe and James Munks, supporting established stars Annakis, Michael Fogarty, Ewen McKenzie and Matthew Schimmelbusch.
Recruits Harry Conway, Jake Kalanj, Jake Hall, Tyson Hartwig and Todd Vander Haar have also been valuable additions over the past 24 months.
Annakis said the Sharks would be near their best 22 when they meet South Croydon.
“We’ve got some pretty healthy bodies and I don’t think we’re missing too many so we’re in a good spot to give to a good shake,” he said.
“We have been pretty settled, especially in the back end of the season … I think the key to a good side is trying to remain as settled as you can and not making too many changes just for the sake of it.
“Credit to the blokes who have been in the 22 for that time, they’re really playing their roles and holding their spots so that’s what you want really as a club.”
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