Werribee Bears will get their shot at NRL Victoria first-grade redemption.
The Bears have qualified for a second straight grand final thanks to a 32-10 win over Casey Warriors at Haines Drive Reserve on Saturday.
Flying winger Liam Reid scored a hat-trick of tries for the Bears, while the ever-consistent Radeem Saleupolu added a further two.
Bears player-coach Phil Pese told Star Weekly there was a steely resolve about his team in this finals series.
“Going into the game on Saturday, I can’t lie – everyone was a little bit nervous, but it was more eager and keen to go out there, play well and get the result,” he said.
“Everyone is just hungry and it was reflected in the way we played.
“Last year, it was all nerves. This time, we wanted to go out there and enjoy playing … and full-on go for it.”
Werribee has been in an arm wrestle for supremacy with Casey all season.
The two clubs are the clear stand-outs in Victoria. They featured in the 2015 grand final and will also meet in Nines grand final, which is a curtain-raiser to the Melbourne Storm’s NRL clash with the Brisbane Broncos on Friday night.
There is a good chance the sides will square off in the first-grade grand final, but Casey will need to overcome a stern challenge from Doveton Steelers in the preliminary final.
Pese does not care who the Bears play in the decider in a fortnight.
The Bears will do everything in their power to avoid the hollow feeling they experienced at the end of last season. They have a chance to create a slice of club history by taking out their first ever first-grade title.
“We had a chance last year to win it and make club history and unfortunately we lost,” Pese said.
“Winning this year would make history and it would probably mean a lot more.
“Last year, it was the first time a lot of us played together and went to the grand final as a unit.
“This year, we’ve backed it up again and 85 per cent of the team are still the same as last year, so we know what’s needed to win the big one and everyone is enjoying the journey.
“Everyone is well aware of the work involved in the coming weeks.
“They enjoyed it this week, but I don’t need to remind them that they’ve got 80 minutes to go.”
