East Point captain Paul Koderenko has no doubt the Kangaroos are equipped mentally to handle the extra pressure of a preliminary final in the Ballarat Football League on Saturday.
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Desperately keen to capitalise on its first finals campaign since 2015, East Point for the first time this series faces a knockout game against reigning premier Darley at the City Oval.
Koderenko said the Roos would not be thinking about the fact there was no double chance.
“We’ll just have to go out there and leave it all out there.
“Mentally we’re strong enough. It’s just a matter of putting it all together,” Koderenko told a BFL media conference on Wednesday.
Darley coaching panel member Shane Davies said the last home and away round win over East Point had been good preparation for the finals.
“Our guys have obviously been in some big games in the past few years and hold no fears for this time of year. That’s what we aim for,” he said.
Meanwhile, Koderenko young onballer Mickitja Rotumah-Onus a 50-50 chance to play on Saturday.
An integral member of the Kangaroos’ midfield, Rotumah-Onus missed the second semi-final after breaking a finger late in their qualifying final win the previous week.
“We’ll find out a bit later in the week. He’ll train tomorrow night and we’ll see how he goes,” Koderenko said.
“It’d be great to have him back. He wins a lot of contested footy. Gives us a lot of ground out of the midfield.”
Darley coaching panel member Shane Davies gave little away as to whether Jake Edwards (hamstring) might be a chance.
He said coach Heath Scotland was best positioned to make that call. “We’ve won without him so hopefully we can do it again.”
