CaseyCardinia qualifying final preview

By Brad Kingsbury
NARRE Warren’s resolve will be tested in Sunday’s qualifying final against Doveton at the Toomuc Reserve in Pakenham.
The question the Magpies’ coaching staff have to answer with their tactics is, do they back their own ability and go on the attack or is it better to keep the Doves’ matchwinners in check and allow the game to become an arm wrestle?
Narre Warren coach Aussie Jones has much preferred the first option all year and his side plays its best football when allowed its freedom.
However, given the potency of opposing players such as Ryan Brown, Ryan Hendy, David George and Justin Hill, Jones might have to sacrifice at least one or two games to keep the balance, and admitted as much.
“We haven’t got too many tricks up our sleeves,” he said. “We’ll naturally try to keep their good players quiet in the middle, but with our midfield being as powerful as it is, you don’t want to go too negative either.”
Jones said that his three main injury worries in Michael Collins, Brett Evans and Clay Peresso were all doubtful starters, but he still thought his side could match it with the Doves.
The game will be veteran forward Shane Dwyer’s 200th in the black and white and that will also provide extra motivation for the tightknit side.
Doveton coach Steve Henwood was confident but said his players had to excel in several areas to down the Magpies.
“We will put a little bit more emphasis on stoppages and when the footy is in dispute. They are very good in that area,” he said.
“We must be very hard at the footy. We were very good at that last year and if we can pick that up I will be very confident. If not then they’ll have the wood on us, it’s that simple.”
Both sides have hit top form at the right time of the year and the result will probably come down to which group settles into its game the fastest and then maintains the pressure.
Doveton is at its best forward of the ball and can kick goals quickly, but it’s Narre Warren’s turn and if the Magpies are to break their 13year premiership drought in 2006 they simply have to win this weekend.