CAMPERDOWN players desperate to atone for a shock round one defeat won’t have to look far for inspiration on Saturday.
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They’ll cast an eye on new lockers adorned with the names of Magpie greats before they run on to Leura Oval for their Hampden league clash against Terang Mortlake.
Magpies’ equal games record holder Matt Sinnott, who wore the black and white with distinction at senior level 276 times, will be among past players at the game for a legends gala function.
Players will don commemorative guernseys to mark the occasion.
Sinnott, his father Pat and brothers Luke and Aaron all feature on the lockers which recognise Camperdown’s premiership and 100-game players.
“They look sensational,” he said.
“It’s good the way they have done it, especially with all the premiership players.
“I think we have only had six premierships. You don’t often win them so now it’s up in writing it’s a good way to recognise past players.”
Sinnott, who is on the Magpies’ match committee, said finals fancy Camperdown was determined to bounce back from its road trip loss to 2015 wooden spooner Portland.
“To be honest, we didn’t fire a shot,” he said of the humbling 32-point defeat.
“Hopefully they’ll turn it around this week as it’s a big occasion for the club.”
Sinnott said Terang Mortlake was always a tough opponent.
“Going by the scores last week they must have took it up to Koroit,” he said.
“They were a good side last year and only just missed out on a grand final and it looks like they’ll be a force to be reckoned with again.”
Terang Mortlake coach Paul Dirago said the Bloods were determined to improve on their gallant showing against reigning premier Koroit.
“We started off sloppy and were running round like chickens without heads at some stages but the pressure was good and the boys’ character to stay in the game and give them a run for their money later,” he said.
Dirago said the Bloods were thrilled with Dylan Wareham’s shutdown job on Saints midfielder Isaac Templeton.
But he said they would only use a tagger if an opposition player started to dominant.
Teenager Daniel Kenna will make his Terang Mortlake senior debut but the Bloods will be without undersized ruckman Jake Crawley, who was among their best in round one, will be sidelined with an ankle injury.
