Altona player-coach Josh Russo is urging his team to embrace the finals challenge.
The Vikings are underdogs of Western Region Football League division 1 finals – in fifth spot and facing a tough elimination final against last year’s runners-up Spotswood at Avalon Airport Oval on Sunday.
The Vikings missed finals last season, but Russo is adamant that enough players now have the finals experience to ensure the veterans aren’t forced to carry too much of the load.
“Other than a few young blokes coming through – I know it’s at different levels – but some of the boys have had opportunities to play reserve grade finals, and some of us have played senior finals and were lucky enough to be premiership players, so there’s plenty of finals experience,” he told Star Weekly. “Obviously we weren’t there last year, but you always hold on to those special final games that you play in.
“You can’t buy that experience. Some blokes will taste it for the first time, and others will have to carry a bit of the pressure or burden.
“But I don’t like to call it a burden because I think it’s a privilege to play in finals. The challenge – whether it’s your first or fifth or 10th final – is one you’ve got to embrace.”
Altona, which lost to Sunshine Kangaroos by four goals in the last-round dead rubber on Saturday, made it through to the finals with just a 50 per cent record, winning eight and losing eight, and finishing one spot below Spotswood on the final home-and-away ladder – but with three fewer wins.
What the Vikings have done is prove themselves in big games, winning tight encounters over Hoppers Crossing and Werribee Districts. They are, however, yet to beat the Woodsmen after two attempts this season.
Russo believes that record can change, if his side brings on its A-game.
“The competition is so even that, on any given day, anyone could win.
“I’ll be telling my players that we can match it with any team on any given day. If we play good football and follow the game plan and structures, we know it’ll work. We’re in it up to our necks if we put our best foot forward.”
Spotswood was forced to take the sudden- death path through the finals after missing out on a top-three spot and double chance on Saturday, with a 20-point loss to Werribee Districts at Soldiers Reserve.
