Victoria's Barry Clark knows a thing or two about bowls finals.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A 53-year veteran of the greens across Ballarat, Clark is preparing for another finals tilt when he plays at number 3 in Noel Verlinden's team in the semi-final against arch rivals Sebastopol.
Clark said he knows his side is capable of beating anyone on the day, but hopes some recent patchy form is able to be put aside in the do-or-die battle.
"We're looking alright, we've got a pretty settled side," he said.
"We've played Sebas twice this year, they won one, we won one, so it's pretty even between the pair of us."
For Clark though, one of the bigger concerns is what comes out of the clouds on Saturday.
"The big problem this weekend is the rain", he said.
"The way the forecast is going, we might struggle to get the game, you can play through the rain but you can't start in the rain. Some are saying the forecast is for 10-15mm, so a lot will depend on when it hits."
Clark has a good feel for finals, now having spent more than a decade at Victoria with plenty of success. He has an eye for what you can see across both finals, with great respect for all teams that will play off for the pennant.
"Ballarat and BMS will be a really tough game," he said. "BMS has been outstanding this year and they seem to have a better balance this year, but have lost a couple at home.
"Ballarat has been terrific this year, there's no doubt the top four sides have made it through and anyone is capable of beating anyone on their day. I don't think there's an obvious stand out."
Clark said a heavy track should not hold too many fears for players, however it would definitely take some adjusting for clubs who are used to playing on synthetic surfaces, which speed up in wet weather, as opposed to slowing down on grass.
"We could have a roll tonight at it's a 15 and tomorrow it could be a 12, so you just never know," he said.
The BDBD is preparing for any eventuality given the forecast, but has plans in place in case this weekend's matches are abandoned.
BDBD secretary John Holt said there was one week up the committee's sleeve in case of a cancelation.
"It's all up in the air at the moment, we hope we can get through," he said. "But if not, we've put out a memo to clubs this week that we move the semi-finals until next weekend.
"As long as we have the final completed by March 27-28, we'll be right, because that's when all the representative events start."
All Premier semi-finals are scheduled to be played at Webccona starting at 12noon.
