NFL 2018: West Preston-Lakeside aiming to make amends for disappointing finals showing last year
STUNG by a lacklustre effort in last year’s elimination final, West Preston-Lakeside will return to Preston City Oval with a point to prove on Saturday.
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STUNG by a lacklustre effort in last year’s elimination final, West Preston-Lakeside will return to Preston City Oval with a point to prove on Saturday.
The Roosters qualified for Northern Football League finals last year under coach Rob Maiorana, only to bow out without firing a shot in a disappointing performance against Greensborough.
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Maiorana said the 31-point loss, during which West Preston kicked 3.13 (31) to 9.8 (62), would be at the forefront of his players’ minds as they prepare to face North Heidelberg in the Division 1 qualifying final.
“I think that game last year fuelled the boys right through the pre-season and into the year proper,” Maiorana said.
“They’ll look back on that, see what they can do better and make sure they give a better account of themselves at Preston City Oval.
“Different year, different side, 12 months along the track with the new coach and game plan.
“I think we are more advanced, but I think the competition has also improved along the way as well.”
North Heidelberg has been the greatest surprise packet of the NFL season, earning a double chance after being promoted from Division 2.
The Roosters enjoyed a 42-point win over the Bulldogs in Round 3, but North Heidelberg reversed the result with a nine-point victory when they clashed in Round 11.
“I think they have done an amazing job coming up to first division and being so competitive,” Maiorana said.
“They are going to be pretty hard to handle.
“Their top tier of players is as good as any in the competition and we really need to contain them.”
Highlights are almost guaranteed in the second against third battle, with brothers Brent and Shane Harvey and West Preston’s ex-AFL duo Patrick Karnezis and Ahmed Saad on opposing sides.
Maiorana said he the middle battle would be decisive, with both teams boasting potent forward lines.
“We are going to have our hands full, but we think we are up for the challenge,” he said.
West Preston tuned up for finals with an impressive 14.13 (97) to 8.5 (53) victory over Greensborough on Saturday as Saad bagged six majors at J.E Moore Park.
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