Spotswood’s incredible run of Western Region Football League
division 1 grand finals will extend to a seventh consecutive outing.
The Woodsmen have not missed a season decider since 2006 and have a
chance to make it five premierships in seven years on September 14.
Chris O’Keefe’s side won through to the season decider after a
rousing 15-point come-from-behind win over Deer Park in the second
semi-final at Chirnside Park in Werribee on Saturday.
PICTURE GALLERY: Spotswood v Deer Park
O’Keefe lauded club structures, smart recruiting and hard work for the Woodsmen’s ability to stay at the top.
“It’s the result of a lot of hard work. It’s great for the club.
“This year we targeted a number of our ex-juniors to come back to
the club, so we don’t fill our team up from players outside of Spotswood
– there’s almost always a connection there.”
Home-grown Will Langlands is the only player to have played in all previous six grand finals.
The Woodsmen will be the form team going into the grand final,
having won their past eight games of the regular season, plus two
finals.
They will face either Deer Park, a side they have beaten in their
past two meetings, or Sunshine Kangaroos, who they have already beaten
comprehensively on three occasions this season.
The Woodsmen have experienced the highs and lows of grand final
day. O’Keefe knows the potential pluses and pitfalls of having a week’s
break before the big one.
“I’m just happy that we’ve made the grand final,” he said. “We’ll train pretty hard.”
The Lions burst to a 13-point quarter-time lead on Saturday before the Woodsmen reeled them in.
Again the Lions put the foot on the accelerator to dominate the
third term, but their inaccuracy in front of goal – 3.8 from 11 shots in
the quarter – left the door ajar.
The Woodsmen needed no second invitation, scoring a six-goal-to-one last quarter.
Onballers Justin Dorwood and Tom Langlands were tough in the
clinches for the Woodsmen. Big men Murray Boyd and Lachie McGhie
controlled the air
