No Braedon McLean at the helm but stand-in skipper Simon Bates has the Eagles ready to go

Wanderers under the command of speed merchant Simon Bates with inspiration skipper and clever defender Braedon McLean sidelined by the league tribunal

Simon Bates shows the poise and concentration that has won him a ton of respect at Wanderers. Picture: Felicity Elliott AFLNT/Media

WANDERERS wingman Simon Bates will lead his side into action in this weekend’s NTFL Premier League preliminary final against St Mary’s.

The suspension of captain Braedon McLean means Bates will step into the leadership role as the Eagles look for a path into their first grand final since 2017.

Asked if a Wanderers side without the inspirational McLean can hunt down St Mary’s for the second time in three weeks, Bates said his side was more than capable of a repeat.

“When you’re playing finals footy against sides like Saints and Nightcliff you want everyone you can possibly get on the ground with you,’’ Bates said.

“Missing Braedon will be tough, but we’ve got to use it as motivation to play our best footy.
“We definitely can do it again and Saints will know it as well. The mental side of things is a good weapon to have, especially in a finals game.’’

In a selection blow, ace goalkicker Brett Eddy will miss the preliminary final with shoulder soreness, but Josh Cubillo, Marlon Motlop and Jarred Erlandson return against Saints.

Hard running midfielders Dane McFarlane and Shaun Mannagh in combination with Bates will be crucial factors in a Wanderers win.

Bates, who played one of the games of his career when Wanderers mowed down St Mary’s in the 2011 grand final, said his side’s unpredictability was a big plus in finals football.

“The good thing about Wanderers is opposition teams can never really relax with us, they never know what they are going to get,’’ he said.

“One week they might give us a hiding and the next match we’ll roll them easily, though it can be frustrating for us sometimes even though it plays on other peoples mind a little bit.’’

Bates said beating St Mary’s this week will set up a big clash for Territory football’s Holy Grail against the freewheeling Nightcliff.

“We’ve just got to get there because we know we’re capable of beating Nightcliff with the players we have got,’’ he said.

Last time they met: Wanderers 13.8 (86) d St Mary’s 8.18 (66). Qualifying Final