‘Why not us?’: Karingal plots grand final shock in MPNFL Division 2

Bulls coach Luke Forsyth says his side will draw inspiration from the Boston Red Sox as it looks to stun undefeated Langwarrin in the MPNFL Division 2 grand final.

Karingal coach Luke Forsyth says the Bulls are “match hardened’’ ahead of the grand final.

Karingal hasn’t won a senior flag since 1999 — last century.

And the Bulls haven’t beaten Langwarrin for a few years.

But Karingal will take growing belief and a positive mindset into Saturday’s MPNFL Division 2 grand final.

Bulls coach Luke Forsyth is backing his side to pull off the biggest grand final upset in recent memory.

“We’ve got the theme at the moment, ‘why not us?’,” he said.

Forsyth says his side will draw inspiration from the Boston Red Sox’s famous World Series triumph in 2004, when they came back after losing the first three games to win the title for the first time in 86 years.

“It’s three all going back to Fenway, so that’s where we’re at,” Forsyth said.

Karingal beat Somerville by 30 points in Saturday’s preliminary final to earn a shot at undefeated Langwarrin in the flag decider.

Lachlan Hinde on the move for Karingal. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The Bulls played some of their best footy of the season to triumph, 12.12 (84) to 7.12 (54).

Laughlin Cowell was named best-afield, while Lachlan Linder-Saunders, Oscar Whitty, Max Smith, Seth Kelly and Scott Jansen also impressed.

“We played our brand of footy...it just took 22 blokes playing their role,” Forsyth said.

“When we had momentum we utilised it. It felt like we defended really well.

“I think they had 20 inside fifties in the last quarter and we kept them to a goal.

“The backs were huge all day. It just took 22 contributors.”

The win came at a cost, though, with Karingal skipper Dale Alanis tearing a calf and Zac Bartling fracturing his eye socket and breaking his nose.

Both have been ruled out of the grand final.

“Those two won’t get up,” Forsyth said.

“You could almost make a movie on our last six weeks with who’s out, but each time someone goes out there’s someone ready to come in.

“We feel like we’ve just got a formula that as long as you’re wearing a Karingal jumper you’re ready to go and you can play a role.

“It’s just another really good opportunity for two blokes in the reserves to come in and play a role for us this week.”

Langwarrin will go in to the big game fresh after playing only one game since August 13.

Karingal, on the other hand, has played every week, a preparation Forsyth says suits his side.

“We’ve had three pretty tough finals,’’ he said.

“We feel we’re definitely match hardened and each week it’s just been a good learning curve for such a young group.

“We’ve obviously got a few out but we’re going in Saturday knowing there’s 22 blokes wearing a Karingal jumper that are hardened and ready to go. We’re looking forward to the challenge.

“It just feels like we’ve been building up for it.

“We’re excited for the opportunity.’’

Forsyth said Langwarrin deserved to be “hot favourites’’.

“Langy are the yardsticks and they deserve to be red hot favourites, they haven’t put a foot wrong all year,’’ he said.

“We know we’ve got to be cherry ripe and we can’t put a foot wrong but we’ll be there and ready to go.

“They’ll have to earn it.”

Langwarrin and Karingal will also meet in the reserves grand final.

The Under 19s grand final will be between Langwarrin and Seaford.