BFL: Clifton believes pressure eases on Lakers

That’s the feeling of Lakers’ captain Steve Clifton after surging past Redan in the Ballarat Football League first semi-final.

Even though Lake Wendouree took more than a half to wear down an injury-hit Redan in the first semi-final, Clifton believes the performance has cast off the scars of its previous two finals.

“We weren’t happy with the way we finished last year.”

Lakers crept home by two points over East Point in an elimination final, only to be thumped by North Ballarat City in the first semi-final.

Then they lowered their colours to Bacchus Marsh to launch this season’s finals campaign.

“I feel the win (over Redan) has broken the shackles.”

Clifton believes the players will be feeling a little less pressure and more relaxed, while obviously well aware of the high stakes against Sunbury in the preliminary final at the Eastern Oval on Saturday.

“We’ve shown we can respond.”

Clifton said it was all about “putting it all together” and for the first time in this finals series producing a four-quarter effort.

“That’s the main focus. We can’t afford lapses.”

He said even though the scoreboard suggested otherwise, he always felt Lakers were in control against Redan.

Clifton said it was physically gruelling game. 

“The tempo always steps in a final. That’s what you expect.”

And he is not expecting anything to be different against Sunbury, where he knows the midfield contest will have a major bearing on the outcome.

Clifton said he was confident Lake Wendouree had the leg speed to out-gun the Lions and earn a grand final berth.

“We need to play our strength.”

Lakers’ midfield of Nick Peters, Bailey Edwards, Ben Taylor and Clifton were instrumental in the win over Redan, while Luke Bucknall continued his fine year.

Ben Hayes and Tim Madden were big contributors in the back half, but Lake Wendouree – like Sunbury – will need to get more out of its attack spearheaded by Andrew Pitson.

Pitson was given a hard time by Redan’s Liam Hoy, but Sunbury is not likely going to have that type of match-up.

Nathan Pring should be much better for his first run after injury. He began to find his feet late and he has the potential to be a match-winner.