EAST GIPPSLAND NEWSPAPERS | 17 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 Confidence high at Magpies’ nest Bairnsdale Advertiser: It's great to catch up with premiership-winning coach, Shaun Mooney, as he tries to add to his impressive record this Saturday when Lucknow does battle with Boisdale Briagolong. How many flags have you coached? Shaun Mooney: Two, both at Bairnsdale, 2009 and 2010. BA: Lucknow is chasing its first senior premiership since 2012, are you feeling the pressure? SM: Not really. From my point of view I'm just really enjoying the opportunity to coach. I think the feeling of the football club this year has been amazing with four teams involved on grand final day, two football and two netball. BA: Do you have many other players who have played in senior premierships? SM: Andrew Nelson (Narre Warren), John Gooch (Sale), Ash Smith played in the last flag in 2012 and obviously myself. BA: You have put together a good list and the season has gone along relatively smoothly apart from the injury to Nick George. SM: It was disappointing missing the finals last year and as a club we have had to do a lot of work to get to where we are heading into the weekend. To everyone at the club who's been involved, it's a real credit and a reward for effort. BA: How have the boys come through the semi final victory? What have you been doing behind the scenes? SM: Last week we concentrated on recovery SM: The midfielders are important and they drive their offensive power, which averages over 100 points a game, which is huge. You know if you allow guys like Reeves, Jolly, Egan and Brunt time and space inside 50 they will make you pay. We will need to play a high pressure game to win. BA: What are Boisdale Briagolong’s strengths? SM: The forward firepower and the fact they are really well balanced. They made last year's grand final and made some smart recruiting calls which has seen them near the top of the ladder for most of the season. They have lost three games for the year, all under five points. They are a good mix of experience and age. BA: What are your side's strengths? SM: We have got a really solid group that has played a really consistent brand of football, led by Jesse Glassborow and Andrew Nelson. I'm really proud of our efforts and we've got huge task ahead of us on Saturday, but we are up to the challenge. In the second half of the year we have began to kick some good scores after struggling early in the year. BA: Have you learnt much about your opposition in the past two weeks? SM: Saturday was a tough game and there is nothing between the top three sides. BA: Why will you win the game? SM: Defensively we are very strong and we will need to stand up in the crucial moments. We will need to maximise our opportunities and keep their good players under pressure. BA: Good luck. and training, trained normal on Thursday and again on Saturday morning before heading to Lindenow to watch our reserves. This week will be similar on the track. With two teams involved, numbers will be good. BA: Obviously you have lost Brendan Flinn to suspension, which is a cruel blow. Who is in line to replace him? SM: Look it's disappointing and devastating for Flinny, he's been part of the club set up for years and real big part of this push for premiership glory. His unavailability does create an opportunity for someone else. We have played a number of different guys in the finals this year so it will be someone who knows the structures. We are still working through selection but we will be looking at guys like Damian Hodder, Logan Croucher, Tim Keyte, Kyran McNaughton and Jack Kennedy, to name a few. BA: Who will be your key players be in the grand final? SM: Honestly in grand finals you need a consistent performance across the board. BA: Who are their key players? Bombers must maximise chances Bairnsdale Advertiser: Congratulations on making it through to the grand final for the second year in a row. Chasing the club's first premiership since 2001, are you feeling the pressure? Sam Bedggood: Yes, there's a little bit of pressure on, but to be honest I'm probably more excited than anything. BA: Obviously the Bombers are looking to go one better than last year, does that enter into the conversation you have with your playing group? SB: Not directly, I think it's definitely in the back of our minds, especially for the guys who played last year, but we also have some additions, so we are all focused on a common goal - premiership glory. BA: Do you think last year's experience will be beneficial in the big picture? SB: No one likes to be on the losing end after working hard for nine months, it's a terrible feeling and I know I'm not keen to experience it again. BA: Do you go in with a better side this year? SB: Very similar, but I think we have improved in several areas and have developed as a group. I think we are playing better footy. BA: Matt Wilkinson has been a big inclusion in the ruck? SB: Having him back and fit has been a big bonus. Having a big aggressive ruckman who gets around the ground and gives our midfielders first use has been a great addition. BA: How have the boys come through Saturday? SB: Unscathed, with Shaquille Coridas who got concussion the previous week the only one to miss this week. BA: Any likely changes? SB: We will have a look at how we match up with the opposition and give it plenty of thought and make some big decisions later in the week. BA: Toby Leeds was a big in last week. SB: We recognised in the Lucknow game that we are a small side and decided to bring in some height, he gives Matt Wilkinson a chop out in the ruck, allowing him to go forward. He's a 60 plus goalkicking forward a couple of years ago, so if he can spend some time forward, kicking a goal or bringing it down to our small forwards, its a bonus. BA: Who will be your key players be in the grand final? SB: The guys who work through the middle, Matt Wilkinson, Kel Porter, Tom Jolly and Jackson Glenane, all have plenty of experience and know what has to be done to win a flag. BA: The skipper Jimmy Reeves? SB: He's a phenomenal player who got us over the line on the weekend. Hopefully he has his kicking boots on again this week. BA: Who are their key players? SB: Their experienced intercept markers down back hurt us last time, led by Andrew Nelson. Joel McNamara is a good onballer, always plays well against us and has had another great season. BA: What are Boisdale Briagolong's strengths? SB: I think it is our ball movement, I think we can really open sides up on the bigger grounds. Which probably surprises some sides given we play a lot on a small ground every second week. BA: What are Lucknow's strengths? SB: Intercept marking, we need to make their backs more accountable. BA: What did you learn from the semi final defeat? SB: We need to maximise our chances in front of goal and deliver the ball to our forwards or make a contest, not let them mark easily. I think we have addressed that by bringing in Toby Leeds to make a contest, either marking or bringing the ball to ground. BA: Why will you win the game? SB: If we stick to our structures and game plan, I think we can get the job done. BA: Hopefully on Saturday you're holding the cup, and the Advertiser appreciates your help and assistance in your tenure as coach and looks forward to seeing you play for a few more years yet. SB: Thank you. Lucknow’s Shaun Mooney is aiming for his third premiership as senior coach after two at Bairnsdale in 2009 and 2010. Boisdale Briagolong coach Sam Beddgood will be aiming to end his coaching tenure on a high. EN25366 ✓ Stockfeed ✓ Pet Supplies ✓ Animal Supplements ✓ Elgas ✓ Rural Hardware ✓ Wide Span Sheds FOR EITHER THE HOME OR FARM WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED! PH: 5152 3093 | 157 Macleod Street, Bairnsdale
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