WARRNAMBOOL Seahawks forward James Mitchell knows his team can’t afford to look further ahead than this weekend’s final home-and-away round.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But with Warrnambool’s play-off spot secure — only its final ladder position remains undecided — the lifelong Seahawks supporter has allowed himself the brief indulgence of considering what playing a final would mean.
The Seahawks’ double-header this weekend will determine whether they play at the Arc in front of a parochial home crowd or away in the Big V division one quarter-finals.
That final, wherever it is, will end a two-year finals drought.
The last time Warrnambool played finals in 2011 — suffering heartache in the grand final series against Geelong — Mitchell was a nervous spectator.
“The last time we were in the grand final and had the Arc packed shoulder to shoulder in 2011, I was in the crowd and thinking ‘I can’t wait to be part of this’,” Mitchell said.
“To be a part of a team which will hopefully do something similar would mean a lot to me.”
But Mitchell, while confident of the Seahawks’ ability to make an impact in the play-offs, knows the importance of this weekend’s matches against Watson conference teams Melbourne University Black and Blackburn Vikings.
The Terrill conference-based Seahawks must finish top two to earn a home quarter-final.
Melton, which has one game remaining, will snare the coveted spot on head-to-head if it defeats Altona Gators and Warrnambool drops one of its games.
“What we’ve fought for all season is to have our destiny in our own hands and that is what we have,” Mitchell said.
“We are pretty confident. We always go into games thinking we can get the win but we’ve had a big week on the training track this week, with a focus in particular on defence.
“That’s let us down in the past few games.
“It is just small lapses. We go with a team for 35 minutes of the game and have five minutes where they go on runs.
“We have lost three of our past four and lost by two points, four points and six points.
“No one is panicking. It’s (just) small lapses letting us down.”
Mitchell is one of a number of south-west-raised players who have now established spots on the talent-laden but young Warrnambool roster.
American import Sai’Quon Stone is guiding the Seahawks, along with former import Tim Gainey, who now calls the south-west home.
“A couple of people have said to me in the last few weeks that this is one of the most locally-based teams we’ve had,” Mitchell said.
“To be having success with guys at this (young) age is really good, especially for kids coming through in squads. They can see what they can do too.”
Mitchell, a product of the Seahawks’ junior program, has played a key role for the club in his second full Big V season.
The 197-centimetre teenager’s court time has increased from 15 minutes in 2013 to 19 minutes this campaign.
His scoreboard pressure has followed suit, rising from 5.9 points a game last season to 11.7.
But it’s defence work — always his Achilles heal — that he has worked diligently on under coach Bobby Cunningham and assistant Craig McLeod.
“I am really happy with the minutes I have got and am happy I am fitting in my role in the team,” Mitchell said.
“I feel I have a more defined role this year and that’s helped me.”
Warrnambool plays Melbourne University at 8.30pm today and Blackburn Vikings at 2pm tomorrow.
justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au