Werribee Centrals coach Rhyce Prismall admits he is feeling the pressure ahead of Sunday’s cutthroat first semi-final meeting against the Belmont Lions.
The Centurions, who lost to East Geelong by 42 points in the opening week of the finals, are looking to avoid becoming the third consecutive beaten qualifying finalist to exit the premiership race in straight sets.
“It’s such an even competition. We know if Bannockburn or Inverleigh or Bell Post had made the finals, it was any man’s premiership to win on their day,” Prismall said.
“It’s probably more pressure as a coach than the playing group.
“I don’t think they read into it too much, but it’s not something I want to get sort of associated with, definitely not.”
After starting the season with 11 consecutive wins, Centrals have now lost five of their past eight outings.
However, they did beat the Lions by 41 points in Round 16.
Prismall says starting well on Sunday is crucial if the Centurions are to progress to a preliminary final.
“At quarter time we were four goals each against East, and we were probably earning our goals more, and we gifted them a couple of goals from free kicks and just poor skill errors,” he said.
“Everyone talks about St Albans, that you’ve got to adjust your game style.
“Talking to the boys on Tuesday, there’s just no hiding.
“You don’t really get support out there. There’s a lot of one-on-one battles you have to win. You can’t rely on your third man across as a half-back.
“You’re going to find yourself one-on-one, and you’ve got to beat your opponent, and East just did that more than us on the weekend, and Belmont did it at crucial times against North.
“The boys have got to embrace that you’ll have your moment to shine, and to do the right thing for the team.”
The Centurions have made two changes for the clash.
Blake Taylor will be sidelined with a hamstring injury, while the club will take a conservative approach with Kai Gomes Pattiyage after he came off second best in a marking contest last week.
Prismall says concussion has been ruled out.
“Not medically graded as one, but because he had a little bit of symptoms, the medical team just said it’s not graded as a proper 21 days, but we’ll definitely rule him out for at least one,” Prismall confirmed.
Taylor and Gomes Pattiyage have been replaced by vice-captain Harley Kilby and Ben Leonard.
On Saturday, Winchelsea will face East Geelong for the first spot in the grand final.
The second semi-final is the Blues’ first appearance on St Albans Reserve since 2014.
Captain Jordan Huff returns at the expense of Callum Nankervis.
Luke Henry and Jude Coverdale, who played in Winchelsea’s reserves elimination final win over Bannockburn last week, have held their spots from the senior win over Geelong West in Round 18.
The Eagles will be without star skipper John McIntyre, who suffered a hamstring injury in the qualifying final that’s likely to sideline him until the grand final.
Marley McCombe (illness) also won’t play, with Lachie Zimmer and Sam Lowe the inclusions.
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