Williamstown CYMS has issued a “bring it on” to undefeated ladder leader Therry Penola ahead of Saturday’s Victorian Amateur Football Association division 1 top-of-the-table blockbuster at Fearon Reserve.
“We’ve been looking forward to this game,” CYs coach Mathew Montebello told Star Weekly.
Montebello is fully aware of the gulf that has existed between Therry and the rest during the opening 13 rounds.
Therry has not been breached, soaring three games clear at the top with an astronomical percentage. The last time these two sides met, it was Therry by a lazy 70 points.
While in awe of what Therry has been able to build in recent seasons, Montebello is adamant “Therry pride” can be dented by his team.
“They’ve had some very successful years, winning multiple premierships,” he said.
“They’re a very proud side … you could tell that when we played them out there and went into the rooms after the game.
“They were up and about, a lot of people there and a lot of Therry pride. So they’re not coming out here thinking it’s OK to drop this game.
“They will want to make a bit of a statement … but they’re beatable.”
CYs will field a much stronger side to the one that lost by 11 goals to Therry back in round four.
A number of top-liners were missing that day.
Montebello also learnt a lot about what makes Therry tick.
“They’ve got three distinct strengths – a big strong midfielder who really bustles his way through in [Jarrod] Eggleston, and the two Bannister brothers – one has kicked 79 goals [Jarrod] and the other [Corey] has kicked 63,” he said.
“They’re all very dominant, so we’ve got to be able to cut off the supply to those Bannister boys because when they get opportunities, they don’t miss – they’re high-end footballers.”
The CYs side has a collection of key position players Therry will need to put some work into.
Luke Molan, a former top 10 AFL draftee, is starting to hit his straps with five goals in each of the past three games, while Ben Gray, Fin Adamson and Kurt Scown will provide an aerial presence.
Steven Puhar, fresh off a ruck role with the VAFA representative team, did not play last time these sides met.
The big-man battles all over the ground are awaited with mouth-watering anticipation.
It will be a stretch for CYs to catch Therry in the standings, so a win to preserve their own top-two status and finals double chance is at the forefront of Montebello’s thinking.
“Even though we’re two games clear in second, this is a game people are probably expecting us to drop,” he said.
“With third versus fourth also next week, you’ve got the top four sides playing each other so it could shape the finals.”
Meanwhile, the CYs can be proud of their own achievements, with four of their players representing the VAFA at various levels.
Puhar, who received the Spirit of the Big V award, and Molan figured in the VAFA premier B-division 4 team humbled by the AFL Vic Country 2.
Tom Johnstone was named best for VAFA’s under-19s in a loss to Vic Country.
Jack Gray underlined his potential, getting a coveted gig in the VAFA under-23 team.
“You’re looking at your best under-23s who aren’t playing VFL footy; that’s a high- quality team,” Montebello said.
“To have four blokes play representative football … from a club perspective, we feel we’re doing something right to be able to get our players exposed to representative football, so we’re very proud of those four boys.”
