Williamstown Imperials feel they are in a better spot than 12 months ago to attack the Victorian Turf Cricket Association McNamara Shield finals.
The Imperials finished top last season, before missing out come finals time.
They will enter finals on top again this season, as the clear favourites having sat on top all season.
Imperials’ coach Tom Burton said they were in a really good spot and felt they were better placed than last year.
“We are riding a bit of a wave at the moment,” he said. “It’s been good since Christmas with some good results.
“We’ve got a different belief and team dynamic in the group this season. There’s a real comfort through the group and it’s resulted in the results that we have.”
Burton said with the quality of the playing group they felt that they would have a strong season this year.
He said the group had gelled really well together and had done a lot of hard work on the training track the past six months to get where they are.
On Saturday, the Imperials came away with the points against Grand United.
The Imperials resumed at 2-35 in reply to the Gorillas’ 195.
Despite losing an early wicket on day two, the Imperials were able to chase down the runs with ease, finishing 4-222.
Callum Herron scored 103 not out, while Burton finished on 61 not out.
Burton said it was good to win in a different way than they had for much of the season.
“It was good to beat a team around us on the ladder and in finals contention,” he said.
“We haven’t done much chasing this year so it was good to chase down close to 200.
“It’s good for the team to experience that in the last two-day game before finals and get that experience heading into big games.”
The Imperials finish the regular season in a one-dayer against West Coburg St Andrews on Saturday.
The Redbacks need to win in the final round and hope results go their way to play finals.
Only the Imperials are guaranteed of a finals spot heading into the final round.
Before then, the Imperials will play in the pool A T20 grand final against senior division ladder leaders Deer Park.
The match was scheduled for Tuesday, but due to predicted weather will be played on Thursday night at Fearon Reserve.
Burton said they’d had some fun in that competition. He said they had been underdogs through a lot of the competition.
“We’ve played some great cricket against some really good sides all the way through,” he said.
“We’ll go out there and enjoy our cricket and play our best brand.
“We’ll be doing what we can on Thursday to be successful.”
Burton said they hoped to have a big crowd come out to watch them in action.
