MPNFL: How lightning changed Langwarrin’s finals preparations in Division 2

Undefeated Langwarrin has been thrown a curve ball on the eve of the MPNFL Division 2 finals after an abandoned game.

Potentially, Langwarrin could be playing just its second game in five weeks on MPNFL Division 2 grand final day next month.

The undefeated Kangaroos didn’t get to play their Round 18 game against Tyabb on Saturday when three lightning strikes at about 2 o’clock saw umpires hastily abandon the game.

And with finals starting this week, Langwarrin will again cool its jets, courtesy of a bye after finishing on top with 17 wins (and a draw).

The Kangas will next appear in the second semi-final on Saturday, August 27.

And if they win that, they’ll go straight into the grand final on September 10 — meaning they’ll be playing their second game in 35 days.

It’s good to be fresh but many an old football sage believe continuous matches are better.

Langwarrin co-coach Josh Beard.

Langwarrin co-coach Josh Beard said it was “a bit disappointing’’ Saturday’s game at Tyabb was abandoned.

“Given that at 2.45 it was clear skies, it is, yeah,’’ he said.

“I know they’ve got protocols…but Mornington and Hastings waited until 3 o’clock and got a full game in.’’

Beard insisted the umpires “didn’t do anything wrong’’ and understood their decision to abandon the game.

“They did it by the book,’’ he said.

“It’s just that you hear in the next suburb they waited an extra 25 minutes and played a game of footy. It’s a bit disappointing.’’

Mark Baguley boots Langwarrin into attack. Picture: Al Dillon

Beard said Langy would adjust their training schedule this week in a bid to maintain their fitness levels and touch.

“We’ll probably step it up a bit with a bit more competitive stuff,’’ he said.

“Rather than recovery and a lighter session on Tuesday we will hit the ground running Tuesday and obviously do a Saturday session with the week off, which was on the agenda anyway.

“The way we train we do competitive stuff every night so we don’t think it’s an enormous disadvantage.’’

Beard said the grand final wasn’t even in the thoughts of his team.

“We are putting all our time and effort into our next game, and the we take it from there,’’ he said.

“It’s a little bit of a myth that you are better off playing final after final.

“If we’re good enough to get through that game (the second semi) and get the break, so be it. But if we’re not, obviously it all changes.’’

Former Essendon player Mark Baguley is set to return to the Langwarrin side after missing last game with a minor knee injury.

“He just had a niggle with his knee, a bit of swelling there, we just gave him an extra week to recover and he was fit and firing and ready to go,’’ Beard said.

Several Langy players will be putting their hands up for selection next week, including Sean Herdman and defender Haydn Golby.

Langwarrin young gun Chad Mulvogue got a game in with Collingwood’s VFL side on Saturday.

“Our list is pretty good and there are probably some players to come back in and they’ve got two weeks now to get themselves up and firing and put themselves up for selection,’’ Beard said.

The MPNFL Division 2 finals kick off on Saturday, with Karingal and Somerville meeting in a qualifying final at RJ Rowley Reserve in Rye.

The winner of that game will meet Langwarrin in the second semi-final on August 27.

On Sunday, Devon Meadows and Pearcedale go head-to-head in the elimination final at Chelsea.