Kiama coach Rod Richards has made plans in anticipation of AFL South Coast’s leading goalkicker Alex Cotter returning for premiers Wollongong Lions on Saturday.
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But he has warned the Power of focussing too much attention on stopping Cotter at North Dalton Park.
Cotter booted 87 majors for the season, 25 more than his nearest rivals Shellharbour’s Brendan White and Kiama’s Troy Cole.
After suffering a cheekbone fracture in the final-round loss to the Power, Cotter is set to be included. “Alex Perger will get the job if he does play, as he has before,” Richards said.
“At the awards night Cotter said himself, he considered Alex (Perger) the best defender he has played on this year and there’s no reason to change too much.
“Cotter isn’t the only danger for us, just because he’s been the one to finish it off for them, there are other guys there to kick goals and create chances.
“So we won’t be changing too much, just because he comes back in.”
The Power have beaten the Lions on their past three occasions, winning by 12, 16 and four points, claiming the minor premiership along the way. But the Lions are no strangers to nail-biting grand finals, having beaten the Bulldogs by a point at Nowra Showground last year.
Coach Ray Burgess wants this year’s group to create their own slice of AFL South Coast history.
“We haven’t spoken about last year and how it panned out,” he said.
“There are 11 blokes in this team who haven’t been here before, it’s a chance for them to do something special themselves.”
Burgess confirmed Cotter had trained well during the week.
“Having him in helps a lot for our structures,” he said.
Young Kiama forward Matthew Price kicked three in a four-point win the last time they met, including a crucial goal in the final term from a free-kick.
Burgess knows the game could come down to a couple of big moments again.
“It’s been that close between us,” he said.
“We’ve been in front against them in the last couple of games and haven’t been able to get the job done, so we’ve got one more chance.
“How we handle the big moments will be very important.
“We’ll be up for it and I know they will be too.”
AFL SOUTH COAST
Grand final
Saturday at North Dalton Park
First grade (2.30pm)
KIAMA POWER v WOLLONGONG LIONS
Tim Barrow
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
