By Beth Newman
It’s the QAFL’s ANZAC showpiece and there’s certainly going to be plenty to showcase when Sandgate hosts Wilston Grange tonight.
The Gorillas have included captain Steve Brittain for the first time in 2014, after an off-season shoulder reconstruction, who will add class and experience to their side.
Wilston Grange coach, Matt Trewhella, said after a disappointing finish in round 2 against Labrador and games against Broadbeach and Morningside coming up, a win at Sandgate tonight would be crucial.
“These are our 50-50 games and we need to win the majority if we want to play finals,” he said.
“The next couple of games we’re probably not expected to win and for us, we really want to stay ahead.
“It’s going to be tough but it’s just one of those games we need to win.”
The stakes of this second ANZAC Eve game have been raised this year, with both clubs working to heighten the match, playing for the inaugural ANZAC Cup and awarding the Will Forbes-Graham Jewell medal for the best on ground.
“I’ve played in ANZAC games on the day before and there’s a heightened sense of importance on the game and even those who aren’t involved in football want to be a apart of the event,” Trewhella said.
Youngster Henry Leong will make his debut for Wilston Grange as well, after games with the Lions reserves and Queensland U18 team in recent weeks, a handy addition to the team in defence.
Former captain David Tough will undergo a fitness test this morning, after a toe injury, before he is definitively named.
Sandgate have brought in some key players as well, headed by the inclusion of Liam Rutledge, back from a chest injury, along with Jacob Huisman, Brendan Colch and a handful of Aspley-aligned players, who they missed a fortnight ago
After a fade out from an inexperienced Hawks outfit in their last match, Hawks coach, Rob Dickfos said good wouldn’t be enough tonight .
“This means everything,” he said.
“It is so vital that we perform and I don’t want just a god performance, I want a great performance,” he said.
“I want us to have nothing left in the tank and at our best, to perform against one of the better sides and make the other sides stand up and take us a lot more seriously.”
Dickfos said his side would be ready for a physical contest.
“They are a hard physical game and a good quick side,” he said.
“We expect them to be at their best and our intention is to do exactly the same and defend to the last man standing.”
“The key is to be ready and be focused because – no matter where you are involved with the game whether it’s with communication or moving ahead of time, you’ve got to be able to read the game a split second quicker than the other side.”
Download the record for tonight’s match here.
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