SCOTT Maddern’s pathway to South Warrnambool’s reserves grand final has been anything but clear cut.
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The long-time Rooster scraped into South Warrnambool’s reserves finals after playing 10 senior fixtures.
He’s tipped to play forward in the Roosters’ grand final clash with North Warrnambool Eagles, but the reality of taking part in a decider is only just sinking in.
“The last time I played in finals was in 2011. I played in the senior flag, but since then, we haven’t played in any,” he said.
“I’ve played 10 games, and the final at Camperdown. I’m only borderline, but that took me to 11 games.
“That wasn’t done deliberately, but it was just the way it fell. I didn’t know until the Wednesday before.
“A couple of boys came and told me I was right to go but I thought I’d overqualified. We had a look and found I was right to go, so I thought I’d have a go.”
The plasterer said the grand final was reward for several loyal players who make up the core of the club.
The last time I played in finals was in 2011. I played in the senior flag, but since then, we haven’t played in any.
- Scott Maddern
“Blokes like Stui Brown, Louis and Nick O’Connor, Jack Lee… They’re here to play and to enjoy experiences like this,” Maddern said.
“For them to have the opportunity to play, it’s just great. Hopefully we get over the line.
“They talk about it all the time, but this group will never play together as a whole group again. People will go away and move eventually, so it’s exciting.”
Maddern has been deployed as an out-and-out goalkicker in South’s reserves grade, booting 31 majors from nine games.
He slotted three majors in South Warrnambool’s shock come-from-behind preliminary final win over Port Fairy, in which the Roosters overcame a 38-point half time margin.
Maddern said his side was the firm underdog against a powerhouse North Warrnambool outfit, with the Eagles suffering just one loss in the home-and-away season.
“You’re playing the best twos teams in it. North will go in clear favourites having lost not all that many this season,” he said.
“We’re happy to be underdogs. In finals and grand finals, you don’t normally have the time to fluff around because (the heat is on).”
Roosters coach Leigh Anderson said the preliminary final triumph over Port Fairy instilled confidence within his team.
However, he said his side was prepared for their toughest hit-out of the season.
“It’ll be a very tough challenge but we’ll be out there competing,” Anderson said.
“We’ve had a rough couple of years with reserves but it’s just exciting times for this group.”