WARRNAMBOOL Raiders coach Jonathan Hukatai is urging his players to stay focused and unified as they prepare for their third consecutive Limestone Coast Rugby League grand final.
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A dominant 28 to nothing first half from the Raiders helped set the foundations for a 42-22 preliminary final victory, sealed by a last-minute try to Maeia Laga, over cross-town rivals the Gunditjmara Bulls.
The Raiders, who were named minor premiers following the home and away matches, will travel to Mount Gambier next weekend to play the Naracoorte Jets again in a decider.
The Raiders first grand final ended in a narrow 26-24 defeat to the Jets, which was their third straight premiership. In last year's decider they also suffered an agonising defeat, again losing to the Jets by two points after a last-minute try stole victory from their hands.
Hukatai, who is in his third season leading the side, said the team was in a much better place compared to its past two grand final appearances.
"I think (the key to winning) is the unity of the brothers and there is a bit more experience within the team too," he said.
"I think experience wise and most of the boys have played finals so they know what to expect."
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Hukatai praised the Bulls for their second-half fightback, which would help prepare his side for another big test next weekend.
"Hats off to Gunditjmara Bulls they came out and gave it their all and didn't give up and put pressure were they needed to," he said. "Now we can focus on what went wrong within our game."
Hukatai said his side would focus in on some areas of their game during training this week.
"We need to hold the ball and our tackles in defence. We just need to improve on a lot of things," he said.
"Everyone getting to practice and just gelling as a team so we know what to do in any situation because as long as we combat any situation we will be fine."
Hukatai rated Vaiala Fou and Maeia Laga as his side's top players in the preliminary final.
He said his side showed full commitment to the pre-game plans.
"(It was to) stick to our plans and use what we have got," Hukatai said.
"We just wanted to create a foundation for the rest of the game and bits of pieces in the middle but also to play for each other."
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
