AS unconvincing as it was, Lake Wendouree’s Scott Carey believes his side found a new confidence when it won its first final since 2010 on Sunday.
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And it is that confidence he hopes can drive his team further into finals.
Carey, one of just three members of the 2010 BFL premiership team still playing with the Lakers, says Lake Wendouree’s elimination final victory over East Point could be the start of something big.
He knows his side will need to perform at a much higher level if it is to knock off North Ballarat City this week, but says it is more than possible.
“We probably went in with half a dozen guys that have won a final before, now we've got 22 who have done it,” said the steadfast defender.
“A lot of guys were a bit nervous and waiting for something to click, it took until the last minute to realise you have to play good footy in the finals.”
Carey, the Lakers vice-captain, said his side would have a few injury headaches, with Linc Barnes and Michael Neal likely to miss the rest of the final series.
However, Lake Wendouree could be buoyed by the return of Isaac Kirby from a hand injury, while Tyler Blake is a certainty to return due to the North Ballarat Roosters not making finals.
And, most importantly, Steve Clifton is in fine form at the right time of the year.
“He really did drag the rest of the side through for that last quarter and pretty much got us over the line by himself,” Carey said.
“That's the standard, everyone realises that's what finals football is and that's how you need to play and hopefully they take a leaf out of his book and carry it in this week.”
For their opponents, North City coach Rob Waters said an injury cloud continued to hang over key forward Marcus Darmody. The former North Ballarat Roosters goalkicker was held goalless at the weekend and is no certainty to play on Sunday.
“He passed the fitness test and he played, but he wasn't at his best...when you play out on the ground you are 100 per cent fit so you've got to play your role and he was beaten,” Waters said.
“If he gets through Thursday night he'll play, he has alerady pulled up a lot better than the previous week.”
Waters also said fellow forward Derick Micallef was a near-certainty to play after missing out as a late withdrawal last week.
North Ballarat City and Lake Wendouree will meet in the knockout semi final at Eastern Oval on Sunday.
In the other final, Redan and Darley will be looking to book an early grand final spot on Saturday, with the loser to meet the winner of North City and the Lakers.