NIRRANDA knows it has nothing to lose and everything to gain as it prepares to take on Kolora-Noorat, according to midfielder James Willsher.
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The Blues are riding a wave of confidence after their compelling win over Merrivale in the elimination final and back their signature game style to get the job done in Sunday’s first semi-final.
“We just need to play our brand of footy, try to keep it in tight,” Willsher said.
“They are a really skillful, running team. Our strength is really inside (winning the contested ball).”
Willsher, who crossed to Nirranda from Hampden club Warrnambool this year to play alongside his brother Dylan, said he had adjusted well to the Warrnambool and District league.
“I started not the best – it’s a different form of footy,” he said.
“It’s more in-tight, in-close footy whereas Hampden league was freer-flowing.”
But the 19-year-old felt he hit his straps when the Blues took on Dennington.
“There were a few hits from the bigger bodies, playing against men, and being able to bounce back from those (was pleasing),” he said.
Few in the Blues’ team have much finals experience, but in their first final they showed once again they could knock off the teams above them on the ladder.
They beat the Tigers back in round nine and stunned Dennington on the Dogs’ home turf in round 13 with a gutsy come-from-behind victory, becoming the only team other than Old Collegians to beat the reigning premier this year.