Not even an ugly loss in the final round could deflate the mood at the history-making Werribee Bears.
Not even an ugly loss in the final round could deflate the mood at the history-making Werribee Bears.
They were blanked on the scoresheet and demolished by a finals opponent, but the afterglow of a brilliant home-and-away NRL Victoria season lived on.
Perhaps it was the excitement of what lies ahead for the Bears that contributed to a strangely lifeless 14-0 first-grade loss to South Eastern Titans at Haines Drive Reserve on Saturday.
Bears coach Phillip Pese admitted his mind had wandered ahead to this weekend when the Bears, minor premiers for the first time in their history, will face Casey Warriors in the major semi-final.
A win will put the Bears into a top-tier grand final for the first time.
“It was hard for me to focus on the game knowing that the semi-final is next week,” he told
Star Weekly.
“I was getting sidetracked and I tried to hide it from the guys.
“Although we lost the game, it was a win for us in that everyone came through without injury.
“We’re all ready to go next week and I’ve got my strongest line-up ready for Saturday.”
The Bears sewed up the minor premiership in the penultimate round.
The rare defeat to the Titans, only the Bears’ second of the season, was purely academic.
The big picture sees a Bears club on the right track and the team on the brink of creating further history in the finals.
“It’s pretty historic for the club to get this far,” Pese said.
“Last year, we had a taste of top four but lost [in the first week of the finals], so they kind of know what it feels like to lose.
“I just take my hat off to the boys’ commitment, sacrifice and a lot of hard work to get to where they are at the moment.” While the Bears have toasted a job well done so far, it means little in their quest to become the best club side in Victoria.
When they run out to face Casey on neutral territory this weekend, the scores will be reset to zero and a new season will start with both sides knowing one win will get them to the big dance.
“The boys know what I think about the two wins against Casey during the season … they don’t mean anything,” Pese said.
“Next week’s game is a fresh game and it’s a must-win for us.”
