GOING into a grand final, any mental edge you can have against your opponent is a bonus.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
For Harrow-Balmoral, the side will take the confidence of having already beaten Kalkee three times this season – twice in the regular season and once in finals.
Although a grand final brings with it different emotions and challenges, so far this season the Southern Roos have looked a class above all of their opponents.
The two sides played out their closest game in the early stages of the season in round three.
The Kees had a two-point lead at half-time in the game at Harrow before the Southern Roos claimed a tight 19-point victory.
Harrow-Balmoral then travelled to Kalkee in round 13 in a game that featured two sides with a host of senior players missing.
However, it was Harrow-Balmoral who dealt with the circumstances the best. Kalkee, who was missing Lachie Exell, only managed five goals for the game as Harrow-Balmoral won by 54 points.
Most recently, the Kees and Southern Roos battled it out in the semi-final at Natimuk.
The two sides were well matched for three quarters, and showed glimpses of what we can expect to see come Saturday.
We take a little bit out of those games but it means nothing come the big dance.
- Nick Pekin
A blistering final quarter to Harrow-Balmoral led the side to a 58-point win and a spot in the grand final.
Southern Roo forward James Staude was clinical, finishing with six goals.
Kalkee co-coach Stuart Farr said the issue for his side in those previous encounters has been its inability to play well for four quarters.
“They have always played four quarters against us but we haven’t been able to do that,” he said.
“We think we are evenly matched but we just can’t string four quarters together. They run pretty deep and always have a good side.”
Harrow-Balmoral coach Nick Pekin said his side wouldn’t be focusing too much on those previous encounters from this season.
“We take a little bit out of those games but it means nothing come the big dance,” he said.
“Stuart Farr will have something up his sleeve and we will just have to counteract that and have a lot of trust in Brent Penny on the bench to make the right moves.”