Vinny Dattoli discusses Heidelberg’s preparation for NFNL Division 1 finals
Heidelberg is gearing up for a shot at a premiership hat-trick and coach Vinny Dattoli says his players must learn to “take things away from people”.
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“We need to get used to taking things away from people.”
Heidelberg coach Vinny Dattoli says his team must be ready for rivals taking a free swing at them this NFNL Division 1 finals.
The Tigers are no strangers to being the hunted, they’re chasing a premiership three-peat in the next month.
The club has lost once in the past 35 matches, going 14-0 this season before dropping a game.
For the third year in a row Heidelberg will have a bye in the first week of finals after winning the minor premiership.
Dattoli said his players must be ready for a big lift in intensity and bring the correct mentality.
“The approach for opposition sides will be, without speaking on their behalf, a nothing-to-lose mentality, which gives them freedom,” Dattoli said.
“Having been on both sides of the fence, favourites and underdogs, you’ve got to keep your finger on the pulse.
“We’ve done well in embracing the challenges in the last couple of years.
“Going back to the Greensborough (lose), the challenge in that was to take away the opportunity for Greensborough to make finals.
“We knew they were going to throw the kitchen sink at it and to their credit they got the four points.
“Equally, on the weekend against Hurstbridge, they had so much to play for and we need to get used to taking things away from people who are trying to take things away from us.
“This time around we were able to put the lights out on their double chance hopes.”
Heidelberg will be significantly strengthened for next week’s semi-final against either Montmorency or North Heidelberg.
The Tigers are set to welcome back two-time Rosbrook Medallist Lachie Smith, who has excelled at VFL level with Richmond this year.
The star midfielder has averaged 20 disposals and 6.5 tackles in 18 appearances.
Dylan Clarke, a Rosbrook Medal contender until a suspension last week, will be ready as will Sean Martin and VFL-listed Jess Gedi.
The week off will give the team a rare opportunity to prepare together.
“Lachie Wilson will come back in, that’s not a bad in,” Dattoli said.
“Dylan Clarke comes back from a week off, he had a suspension and needed the rest anyway, Sean Martin and Jess Gedi are all significant ins and complement our gamestyle.
“The week off really benefits us, there’s a couple of little connection pieces we want to put together to rest the mindset around the way we move the footy.
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“We’re looking forward to the next five sessions, we haven’t really trained together all year due to VFL commitments or overseas travel.”
Key forward Zane Barzen finished third in the league goalkicking charts, booting 43 goals from only 13 appearances.
Meanwhile, Luke Bunker’s fine season is expected to see him named the Division 1 Coaches’ MVP as the midfielder led the polling by 23 votes when voting went behind closed doors with four weeks remaining.
After a red-hot start before travelling overseas, Clarke is still ranked sixth.
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