Shane Skontra
WAUBRA coach Shane Skontra has turned up the heat on Hepburn ahead of tomorrow’s do-or-die semi final.
Skontra says the minor premiers are under serious pressure, attacking yet another shock loss to Daylesford at the weekend and their decision to part ways with former coach Troy Auld mid-way through the Central Highlands Football League season.
“I personally think Hepburn is under the pump for the rest of the finals campaign,” Skontra said yesterday.
“For the past two years they have finished on top, and like last year, they have lost their first final.”
Skontra, who led the competition to interleague success earlier this season, believed Auld was poorly treated by the Burras when he was replaced at the helm by Shane Robertson in July.
“There is added pressure because of the decision to change coach mid-season.From a coach’s perspective, I was very disappointed to be totally honest, as I believe in country football that coaching appointments should be honoured and supported until the season ends,” Skontra said.
The dual premiership coach will stand down from his role at the end of the Roos’ campaign, which could be as soon as this weekend if they fail to overcome the Burras.
Despite a convincing 78-point defeat by the Burras in round six, Skontra is confident his team can overturn the result tomorrow.
“I have enormous respect in regards to the capabilities of the opposition players and the type of footy that they can produce,” he said.
“We will certainly have to be on our game to be competitive, but I know our players really love the challenge of playing Hepburn and we believe we can win.”
Tomorrow’s clash will take place at Dunnstown, with the weekend’s other semi-final being played between Bungaree and Newlyn at Waubra on Sunday.