ALL season long it looked as though the Horsham Demons and Minyip-Murtoa would be likely grand final opponents.
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The sides will come together for the fifth time this season as they pursue the premiership.
While Minyip-Murtoa managed to get over the line in rounds six and 13, Horsham were more convincing in round 16 and in the second semi-final.
The more recent wins will mean Horsham start favourite on Saturday. The side was was clearly on top early in the second semi-final as players such as Simon Hobbs, Matty Lloyd and Brad Hartigan ran Minyip-Murtoa off their feet.
The Burras came back hard in the second half of the contest but for Horsham coach Louie Dalziel it was all about the moments.
“We have talked a lot about moments during the season,” he said. “It is about maximising our good moments and minimising theirs. Grand finals are all about those moments, both good and bad.”
The Demons had some bad moments late in the last contest but Dalziel was confident their would be fewer lapses with everything on the line.
“Maybe a few players were already looking ahead to the grand final in that final quarter,” he said.
“But there are no second chances now.”
While Dalziel talks to his players about the moments, Minyip-Murtoa coach Damian Cameron will be focused on the mindset of his players.
“It’s been a big thing with me from the very start,” he said. “I’m big on channelling your energy in the right way.
“Everyone needs to be able to kick and take marks but mindset can be the difference between good players and great players; or good teams and great teams.”
Grand final experience will also be a talking point right up to the first bounce, and even once the game is over.
Horsham still has plenty of players that have risen to the very top in the Wimmera League while Minyip-Murtoa can look toward more recent grand final exposure as a team.
“We haven’t really talked about last year up until now,” Cameron said. “It has popped up quite a bit this week and everyone remembers that stuff, the pain stays with you and I’m sure some guys will use that a s bit of fuel.”
In a testament to the depth within the two sides neither coach would be drawn into discussions about who from the opposition would be key.
“Obviously Jae McGrath and Matt Coleman have been in some pretty good form but we think we’ve got the right match-ups for them,” Dalziel said.
“Minyip-Murtoa have plenty of good players though and as soon as you hone in on one or other one will pop up. They might want to shut certain players of ours down but we are looking to limit the impact of some of the more unexpected Burras’ players.”