Outgoing Colac coach Rowan McSparron is confident his team’s best footy will be good enough to compete during the GFNL finals – if it makes it.
The Tigers are outside the top five with two rounds remaining and are staring down the possibility of not being part of finals action for the first time since 2016.
A win over Geelong West is a non-negotiable for Colac, which needs a win to avoid the potential of sitting four points behind fifth-placed South Barwon ahead of a final-round meeting with the unbeaten St Joseph’s
If the Tigers sneak in, recent history says playing in an elimination final is no barrier to winning that year’s premiership.
Leopold (2023) and St Mary’s (2019) joined Colac (2014) in winning four finals to claim the flag, with the Lions finishing runner-up in 2022 after ending the home-and-away season in fifth.
“As we’ve seen in recent times, coming from fifth to play in grand finals and win it hasn’t been beyond the realms of possibility,” McSparron told krockfootball.live.
“If we get some things right and get some momentum over the next two weeks, you never know.”
However, McSparron is the first to acknowledge that Geelong West, coming off a 94-point hiding of Lara, won’t hand over the four points.
“West are dangerous at the best of times, let alone on their home deck,” he said.
“Hopefully… we can sneak the win there and then roll into Joeys with some form and some confidence and have a crack at them.”
Colac will be without young defender Will Parkhouse after he suffered a hamstring injury in last week’s loss to St Mary’s.
However, Essendon VFL speedster Bailey Scott is available with the Bombers’ season ending last week.
He will also play against St Joseph’s but won’t be available for the GFNL finals if Colac qualifies.
The Giants have named debutant Ezekiel Rowe among five changes.
Tanner Lovell returns from Geelong VFL duty, Phil Moimoi is back after missing the win over Lara, while Declan Fenton and Tom Drennan have been recalled from the reserves.
They replace Jamieson Ballantyne (concussion), injured trio Lachie Handley, Frazer Robb and Riley Moore, and the unavailable Angus Codd.
South Barwon has lost defender Tom Peirce to an ankle injury and managed ruck Ben Kellett among three changes for its meeting with Newtown & Chilwell at McDonald Reserve.
The Swans have also omitted the unlucky Dustin Burns.
Ethan Borys returns from a stint with Geelong’s VFL team, Will Sexton is back from injury, and Aaron Vickey has been recalled from the reserves.
The Towners have welcomed Zach Walter and Matty Lloyd back from VFL duties with Port Melbourne and Sydney, respectively.
They replace Finn Laffy and Rhys Devlin.
St Joseph’s has regained Felix Henderson from injury but lost Tanner Own to an ankle issue as it looks to extend its winning streak to 17 against Lara at Bisinella Oval.
The Cats have been boosted by the inclusion of Connor Thar after he earned a call-up to VFL minor premier Werribee for its final game of the home-and-away season last week.
Leopold has made three changes for its meeting with North Shore at Memorial Park.
Premiership duo Sam Scott and Andrew Pepper return along with ruck Kyle Bumpstead.
Veteran Ollie Tate and exciting forward Max Annandale are being managed, while Anthony Tanner has been omitted.
With the Seagulls forfeiting the reserve grade match, the senior game has been brought forward for a 12:30pm start.
Grovedale and Bell Park have lodged unchanged teams for their clash at Burdoo Reserve.
A win for the Dragons will increase their chances of playing finals for the first time since 2017.
On Sunday, St Mary’s will debut young big man Mackenzie Butcher among three changes for its meeting with St Albans at Anthony Costa Oval.
Butcher, the son of former Saint Kent, who also played AFL with Collingwood, has spent time in the reserves and as a 19-year-old at the Geelong Falcons.
Matt Keast (Werribee) and Kade Chalcraft (Geelong) have returned from VFL duty.
Zak Sherman, Nick Minchin, and Brayden Ham have all been rested.
The Superaints have included Jack Bumpstead, Bailey Coutts, and Sam Ryan for the injured Jacob Whitfield and Noah Guida and the omitted Chris Jreige.
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