GRAND finalist Old Collegians is hoping the fitness of a valuable leader can propel it forward to snap a 25-year premiership drought.
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Josh Reichman has named versatile midfielder Eli Barker in his starting side, while youngster Mitchell Fogarty was named as an emergency for the clash against Kolora-Noorat.
The 28-year-old was late withdrawal from the Warriors’ preliminary final triumph, but has recovered to be named for the grand final.
While Barker and Fogarty are the two confirmed inclusions, the club has named an extended bench with decisions expected to be made on Friday.
Reichman said the Warriors were satisfied with their preparation and were determined to get a result.
“As we saw last year, momentum is a massive thing in finals. (Our performance) last week was a huge step for us,” he said.
“The boys are confident and happy with where we’ve managed to get ourselves with the chance to play another grand final.
“We’ll take a heap out of our preliminary final, because that gave us the belief that we can win regardless of the position we’re put in.”
The second-year coach, who is contracted for next season, expected the game to be a fierce contest.
“There’ll be players throwing their bodies around and it just comes down to who can whether the storm,” Reichman said.
Kolora-Noorat forward Ben Fraser has overcome a calf injury and is set to line up for the Power.
They have also recalled crafty forward Mark Clissold and assistant coach Ben Walsh for the decider, while tall forward Bailey Kemp and defender Joe O’Sullivan have made way.
“Those guys definitely bring a lot to our team in leadership and direction. They’re experienced and are pretty solid contributors,” Power coach Danny Finn said said.
“We definitely have to acknowledge Bailey and Joe. They’re really unlucky to miss out.
“They played the second semi-final and a fair bit of the year, so the boys will get around them.
“As a club and a team, we’re looking forward to Saturday and from our perspective, we’ve got the green light and we’re ready to go.”
Finn said while it was difficult to predict the style the game would take, his side was ready for a fast-starting Old Collegians.
“It’s hard to say, but it’ll be hot early and the team that can settle first will have a huge advantage,” he said.
“We’ll have to make sure we defend and apply a lot of pressure to limit Old Collegians and restrict them when we don’t have the footy.”