GRAND finals are a rare commodity for many of the region’s footballers.
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But three of South Warrnambool’s under 18.5 stars have stepped onto Reid Oval for the final game of the season on four occasions.
Flynn Atchison, Marcus Herbert and Fraser Marris are preparing to don the red and white for the fifth time in a grand final and add to their tally of four premiership flags.
The trio isn’t fazed about the pressure which usually comes with the build up to a season finale.
Atchison said he still felt a little relaxed about the situation confronting him and his Roosters teammates.
For Herbert, it was just another game of football and that every game was different to the last but didn’t discount the challenge ahead.
While Marris shifted the focus onto a strong Koroit side, led by Hampden 18.5 interleague coach Ben Van De Camp, that the Roosters would have to overcome for the third time this season.
The trio has found the step up from under 16s to be a comfortable change to normality.
“It’s a good challenge and they are bigger bodies,” Marris said. “Hopefully we can match it again this weekend.”
Marris and Herbert have played two and three senior games respectively this year, while Atchison was the league’s leading goal-kicker in the 18.5s with 47 goals.
“I usually don’t have to do much,” Atchison said of his breakout year in the Roosters’ forward line.
“The boys just mostly kicking the ball down my throat every game, which helps heaps.”
Atchison said he would be looking to pair with top-age under 18.5s player Jake Hussey inside the 50-metre arc at the Reid.
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