REVENGE is sweet and South West District league grand finalist Coleraine is savouring the taste.
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The Maroons set up a premiership clash with undefeated Heywood after an emphatic preliminary final victory over Dartmoor on Saturday, 14.12 (96) to 11.12 (78).
It was revenge for last season, when Dartmoor bundled out Coleraine in the first week of finals and coach Matt Dunn said it was good to get one back.
“That defeat last year was still hurting, so it was good to get over them this time round,” he said.
“We played them in the qualifying final as well and beat them by 83 points. The sides are a bit different to last year, but it still feels good.”
Dartmoor got an early jump on the Maroons, leading at the first change, 3.2 to 2.3. But by half-time it was becoming clear Coleraine would be playing in the grand final, adding 6.1 to 1.6 in the second term. By three-quarter-time the Maroons had added another four goals to lead by 22 points at the last change.
The Swans outscored the Maroons in the final term 3.1 to 2.3 but it wasn’t enough to get them over the line.
Dunn said the back line and midfield were key to the victory, areas he said would be vital on Saturday.
He said he would look to ruckman Zac McDonald and forward Eric Guthrie to lead the side in its charge against Heywood.
“Eric has had a great finals series and is a quality player. Zac has been in good form as well, so I’ll be looking to them to get us up and about,” he said.
“But a full-team effort will be needed. We can’t afford to have any passengers.”
Dunn is full of confidence heading into this weekend’s grand final, despite being the underdog.
“Heywood are undefeated, so they will go in as favourites,” he said.
“But I’m confident that we can be a real chance. If we have 21 guys giving it 100 per cent, there is no reason why we couldn’t win.”
The grand final is scheduled for 2.30pm at Portland’s Hanlon Park on Saturday.