OLD Collegians are readying themselves for a round one battle with reigning Warrnambool and District league premier Merrivale after winning a pre-season cup.
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The Warriors defeated Melbourne visitor North Old Boys-St Pat’s in a round-robin competition’s grand final at Friendly Societies’ Park on Saturday.
They were one of four WDFNL clubs to take part in the Old Collegians-run tournament, which is in its second year.
Dennington, Russells Creek and South Rovers were the others to play two shortened games as part of the concept.
Tyrendarra also played but its South West District league counterpart Dartmoor withdrew on the eve of the competition, leaving organisers to fill holes in the fixtures at short notice.
Old Collegians coach Daryl Beechey said the Giants’ late omission was disappointing but backed the pre-season tournament to be back bigger in 2016.
Beechey said interest was strong and it took the stress out of organising practice matches.
“I don’t see any reason why it won’t keep happening for years to come,” he said.
Straight kicking helped Old Collegians register a comfortable 7.0 (42) to 1.7 (13) win against North Old Boys-St Pat’s in the decider.
Beechey said the Warriors, who rose from a wooden spoon in 2013 to play finals last season, showed promise just two weeks out from the home-and-away season.
“I thought our onballers as a whole worked pretty well together,” he said.
“Josh Dwyer was good. He’s back this year and showed he’ll be valuable for us.
“His leadership was good, on the ground he was always talking and putting people in the right spots.” Old Collegians will play a practice match at Cobden tomorrow night before launching their season against reigning premier Merrivale on Good Friday.
“It will be a good test,” he said of the round one fixture.
“We’ll find out pretty quickly where we’re at.
“They will be the yardstick again I’d imagine.”
Beechey said the Warriors needed to maintain a strong work ethic if they were to back up their rapid rise up the ladder.
“The big one is to not be complacent,” he said.
“Finals aren’t a given just because you made finals last year. We know the hard work it took to get there last year.”
justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au
