How a round of golf inspired a kick after the siren

Springbank’s Zak Bozanich reflects on kicking the winning goal to send his team into the grand final.

If you see Springbank’s Zak Bozanich at a golf course just before this weekend’s grand final, don’t worry, it’s all part of his routine to hopefully deliver for his team like he did last weekend.

Bozanich kicked the winning goal after the siren for the Tigers in their preliminary final against Hepburn in the Central Highlands Football League.

It was one of five goals on the day for the forward.

With scores level with a few seconds to play, up stepped Bozanich with a contested mark and goal after the final bell to seal his team a spot in the decider.

“Paddy (Patrick) Glanford won the ruck contest, passed it down to Chrissy (Christopher) Quinlan who passed it to me after kicking to me all day,” Bozanich said after the match.

“I marked it and after a couple of seconds the siren went.

“I just blocked the emotion and kicked it.

“It’s a great moment, but the focus is on this week.”

Bozanich admits he has taken some time in the past 24 hours to reflect on his moment of glory.

Springbank's Tom Bozanich kicked the winning goal in the preliminary final. He’s pictured playing in London a couple of years ago. Picture: Facebook.

“I’m still pinching myself for a little bit,” he said.

“You are always your biggest critic so I was happy I could do my job for the team.

“There was a big group hug and everyone got around it.

“It was two games in a row we’ve come back.

“Everyone’s just buzzing and I copped a few messages (in support), it’s a great feeling.”

Springbank won when it mattered but the team was down for the whole contest.

The Tigers were down at each break and had to come back from 16 points down at three quarter time.

Bozanich admits the past couple of weeks he’s been following certain superstitions to make sure he is fully prepared.

The Springbank team during the preliminary final. Picture: Springbank Football Club.

Clearly, with the season on the line, it is working.

“I like to go and have either a round of golf (before the game),” Bozanich said.

“I’ve been doing that for a few weeks.”

He’s also been staying on Friday nights at his coach’s place.

“Andy Charles (coach) has been my mate for a long time, we played footy together in London,” Bozanich said.

“I’ve stayed at his house the last couple of weeks.”

And he’s keen to do it again this weekend, heading into the grand final against Gordon at Mars Stadium.

The side will play Gordon after the Eagles defeated Dunnstown by 27 points.

“Gordon are a quality team, it’s big rivalry between Gordon and Springbank,” Bozanich said.

“In the contest it all comes down to the last five to 10 minutes.

“It should be a quality game as well.

“On the day anyone can win.”

Gordon is unbeaten in both contests this season including the qualifying final clash two weeks ago, which saw the Eagles win by 12 points.

The two teams face each other at 2.45pm on Saturday.