WARRNAMBOOL Seahawks forward Ollie Bidmade says the Big V defending champions are a team on a mission.
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The Seahawks travel to play Keilor Thunder – a side which has had their measure twice in 2017 – in the preliminary final brimming with confidence.
Bidmade, 19, said their thrilling two-point elimination final win over Latrobe City Energy, coupled with the demise of two championship fancies, was fuelling the Seahawks on.
“We’re super confident,” he said.
“The amount of belief a win like that (against the Energy) gives you is enormous.
“We feel we’re the team no one wants to face, a wildcard team.
“It’s like all pieces are falling into the puzzle now.
“We’re starting to hit our straps at the right time of the year.”
Bidmade, who played in the Seahawks’ first title in 18 seasons last year, said Keilor would present challenges.
But the 203-centimetre teenager believes Warrnambool has the arsenal to counteract the Thunder’s strengths.
“We’ve lost both times to them but in the second one Alex Gynes only played half a game and we only lost by eight or 10 points in the end so that was promising,” he said.
“We’re pretty excited (to play them in a final) to be honest. It seems like we’ll have a good game plan we have to execute.
“I think if we push the ball well, it will be better off for us. They have a couple of good imports and if we halve their points, we’re a fairly good chance.”
Bidmade said the Seahawks’ gritty road win over the Energy highlighted their potential.
He also conceded it came with a few nerve-racking moments.
“They got a wide open shot right at the end,” Bidmade said.
“It felt like the ball was in the air for half an hour.”
Bidmade has played 20 games, averaging 5.9 points and five rebounds, in 2017.
He produced one of his best performances in the elimination final, sinking 11 points from 32 minutes.
Bidmade, who is working as a trainee teacher’s aide at St Pius Primary School, said the Seahawks would have a near full strength roster to pick from against the Thunder.
Only the injured Dom Occhipinti and Tom Symons will miss.
We feel we’re the team no one wants to face, a wildcard team.
- Ollie Bidmade