Port coach Noel Spencer is confident his team will cover the loss of suspended duo Will Mobbs and Cameron Morgan in Sunday’s grand final against Bulli as the Zebras dare to dream of a remarkable title.
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Mobbs was sent off in extra time of Port’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Kemblawarra Fury last Sunday afternoon while Morgan picked up his second yellow of the final series.
Both players had put in strong shifts in the desperate preliminary final win, but will now miss out on the chance to play in Illawarra Premier League’s biggest game.
However, Port will welcome back influential midfielder Ben Zucco from suspension for the match.
Spencer said Zucco’s addition was a ‘big plus’ and was adamant Port’s squad depth would have them ready to fire on grand final day.
“We will be a couple of troops down but we have some squad players there that have been playing regular football," he said.
"That's the whole reason of working the youth team with first grade every session this year to come in, in moments like this.”
Port’s youth has already come to the fore this final series, with young gun Jayden Salucci making a huge impact in Sunday’s win over the Fury.
Salucci came off the bench to score the winner for the Zebras in what was his first goal in the top grade.
It propelled Port to their third consecutive knockout win and a berth in this year’s decider against Bulli.
Bulli will undoubtedly go into the clash as the team to beat after already claiming the Bert Bampton Cup and League Championship titles this season.
But Spencer knows his men will go into the encounter high on confidence on the back of a six-game unbeaten run.
"I am very happy where the boys are at, at the moment," he said.
"We have knocked off some big scalps to get there and you don't get to grand finals by luck.
"We have worked hard on things but we expect nothing but a physical encounter on the weekend.
"They will be full of running. We have had 120 minutes and they are sitting back resting so it is going to be a huge task again.
"Football is a funny game and it can through up some curly ones sometimes.
“We will go in as massive underdogs and will look to spoil another party."